WordPress Veterans Launch FAIR Project to Enhance Security and Decentralise Control
In a significant move aimed at reshaping the future of WordPress infrastructure, a group of experienced WordPress veterans has launched the FAIR project, backed by the Linux Foundation. This new initiative introduces a federated update network designed to decentralise the traditionally centralised WordPress ecosystem.
WordPress powers over 40% of the web, making its security and update mechanisms critical to millions worldwide. However, concerns have grown regarding supply chain vulnerabilities and the concentration of control within Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and the platform’s primary steward. The FAIR project seeks to address these issues by shifting towards a more open, distributed model for managing updates and security.
By decentralising the update process, the federated network aims to reduce the risks inherent in a single point of failure, thereby strengthening supply chain security. This approach restores agency to the broader WordPress community, offering greater transparency and resilience against potential attacks or outages.
The Linux Foundation’s backing lends the FAIR project credibility and resources, signalling strong industry support for efforts that prioritise security, trust, and decentralised governance. With growing tensions surrounding control and influence in the WordPress ecosystem, this initiative represents a timely response that could set new standards for how open-source platforms manage updates and maintain trust.
Ultimately, the FAIR project aspires to empower WordPress users and developers alike, creating a safer, more trustworthy foundation for one of the world’s most popular web publishing platforms.
Source: WordPress veterans launch FAIR project to tackle security and control concerns
Author: Chris Stokel-Walker
