Telemetry in WordPress

The recent discussions about telemetry and data in WordPress are not surprising. While anyone who has spend time with the API code knows that a great amount of data is transmitted to the WordPress repository, seeing it weaponized is something that is shocking to many in the community. We’re also shocked at this abuse of the data, and we are sad to see that it’s being used in this way.

Telemetry is a vital part of decision-making for developers. We see how important understanding who is using the software and understanding their decision-making. But we also believe strongly that this kind of data collection needs to be both disclosed up front, and done freely by the people making the disclousre.

AspirePress will be implementing features that both limit our collection of unnecessary telemetry as well as request permission from individual site owners. We will introduce three options: an option to share data just as before, an option to provide the data but require that it be anonymized, and an option to disable data sharing altogether.

As we approach our launch date, we will also revise our privacy policy and appropriate documents to reflect the fact that we collect certain data and outline the ways that we use it. Weaponizing the data against any individual or group will not be considered an authorized use of the information.

The world deserves privacy, and the freedom that WordPress offers both obligates and requires its maintainers to respect the need for anonymity and privacy. Using the data collected, without permission, in the way it’s being used currently, is not acceptable.