Can I Log In? Let Me Consult my Attorney.

• In the latest round of Matt vs. WPE, a checkbox was added to the WordPress.org login page requiring users to attest that “I am not affiliated with WP Engine in any way, financially or otherwise.”
• What does “affiliation” mean? It’s not defined, and this creates a real issue for us as agency owners, the common people of WordPress.
• My first thought is that “affiliated” means I’m getting paid by WPE. Okay, but then what does “otherwise” mean?
  • Sometimes I use Local as a dev environment, I have a license for ACF, and I use Delicious Brains software occasionally. Am I affiliated?
  • Can I attend an online or in-person event sponsored by WPE?
  • What if I work with clients who host on WPE and I need developer access to their sites? Does that count?
  • Do I have to say no to working with potential clients who host on WPE?
• An attestation like this one is a serious thing to consider given the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the current conflict. Some clarity would be helpful, and it’s nowhere to be found.
• So tell me… have we really reached a place where I have to ask a lawyer before I can log into WordPress.org?

U.S. Agency Owners… Have You Completed Your BOI Report?

• If you just asked, “What’s a BOI report?” you’d better pay attention.
• A Beneficial Ownership Information Report must be filed by all US business by January 1, 2025, or you could face a fine of up to $500 per day.
• Announced back in February, many solopreneurs and agencies are only now becoming aware of this requirement, part of the Corporate Transparency Act to help combat financial crimes.
• Thankfully, filing is simple (I completed it in just a few minutes), requiring answers to basic questions and uploading a photo ID.
• If you weren’t aware of the requirement for filing the BOI, your clients may not be either. This could be a good opportunity to reach out to them with a helpful nudge.
• If you serve nonprofits, most of them are probably exempt from the requirement.
• Learn more about the BOI and file your report on the FinCEN website.

Internet Archive Suffers Major Security Breach

• The Internet Archive has been the subject of a debilitating breach and DDoS attack starting on October 9.
• A pop-up message on the site left by hackers alerted visitors to the hack, revealing the massive scale of the breach.
• Have I Been Pwned confirmed that over 31 million accounts were compromised, including email addresses, usernames, and hashed passwords.
• The Internet Archive also experienced a DDoS attack, causing temporary service disruptions and slowdowns.
• They are communicating status via their X feed.
• Read more on this developing story on The Verge and Wired.

Worth a Look

• If you’ve had enough #WPDrama, and you’re looking for an alternative… here’s an option. You’re welcome.
• If you’re doing some Black Friday / Cyber Monday tweaks for your clients, here’s an excellent post with BFCM design ideas from the Astra team.
• Godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, just won the Nobel Peace Prize. He hopes people will now listen to his warning that computers are going to take over the world 😬 .