Title: Review of Blocked Community Members Author: Destiny Kanno Published: May 1, 2025 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/piyopiyofox/) [Destiny Kanno](https://profiles.wordpress.org/piyopiyofox/) 3:37 am _on_ May 1, 2025   # Review of Blocked Community Members In an ongoing effort to foster a healthy and inclusive community, we are conducting a thorough review of blocked community members, prioritizing individuals who were blocked **between August 2024 and the present date without communication or notification**. This initiative spans both the WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) and SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) platforms and aims to identify accounts that can be unblocked and reinstated, allowing those members to re-engage with the community. ## Unblocking Criteria and Process The decision to unblock an account will be based on a thorough evaluation of the actions that led to the initial blockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience.. While some blocks were justified and will be upheld, we acknowledge that mistakes may have occurred, and some members may have been unfairly blocked. Our aim is to correct any past errors and provide a clear path for those members to re-engage with the community. We believe that by working together and fostering open communication, we can move forward and build a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone. **Factors Considered During Review** * **Severity of the Infraction**: The nature and severity of the situation that led to the block will be a primary consideration. * **Time Elapsed**: The length of time since the block and any subsequent behavior of the individual will be taken into account. * **Agreement to Adhere to Community Guidelines**: The individual has expressed a commitment to follow [the community code of conduct](https://make.wordpress.org/handbook/community-code-of-conduct/) and forum rules. * **Community Impact**: The potential impact of unblocking on the overall community health and well-being will be considered. ## Timeline and Communication We understand that this process may take some time due to the number of accounts under review and the need for a thorough evaluation of each case. Please note that we are prioritizing those who were banned without notice or communication, and spammers will not be notified. We are committed to providing regular updates on the progress of this initiative and will communicate any significant developments to the community in a timely manner. ## Commitment to a Healthy and Inclusive Community This unblocking initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful community where all members feel valued and supported. While maintaining the health and integrity of our community is paramount, we also believe in providing opportunities for individuals to learn, grow, and contribute positively. This initiative is a step towards achieving that balance, and we are hopeful that it will contribute to a stronger and more vibrant community for all. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process. ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2025%2F05%2F01%2Freview-of-blocked-community-members%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6174abecbcdfdc31a9791784bbc10b7a9ea1bdb2e46b5fd3cf3805abc92dcc3? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Taco Verdonschot](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tacoverdo/) 8:03 am _on_ May 1, 2025 3. [@piyopiyofox](https://profiles.wordpress.org/piyopiyofox/) Would you be able to clarify who ‘we’ refers to in this post? 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/118da268a0c363731e91a800b9cbd55a95988ea50d8762452f0e1fdcf1c2365b? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Mary Hubbard](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/) 4:29 pm _on_ May 1, 2025 * As far as accountability and recognizing that there was an imbalance, the “ we” is leadership. * For the process, it refers to myself and the community teams that normally assist in account reviews/bans. As mentioned a few times, there are legitimate reasons for some to have been removed. I do not want to undermine these teams so have pulled them in for further review and feedback. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/80c838b93c23e1188834951292bef5eabd69d9f171f22841d643b94cc7970430? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Dave Loodts](https://profiles.wordpress.org/davelo/) 3:54 am _on_ May 2, 2025 - As long as that “we” — meaning leadership — avoids proper self-reflection, this community cannot truly become a healthy and inclusive one again. Without honest introspection and sincere apologies, posts like this are just hollow words — and frankly, they come across as patronizing. - In a genuinely healthy and inclusive community, there is always room for valid criticism. I’ve seen too many people get blocked simply for doing exactly that: caring about WordPress and raising valid points in a respectful manner. Yes, i also saw “heavy trolls”, but that is absolutely a tiny fraction. - So Mary, it’s up to you to decide whether you treat this “reset” as something genuine or merely artificial. Even if it means addressing uncomfortable truths with those who pay your salary. Because that, to we — the community— is what true leadership looks like. 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4a2f2c1c983cbb8be47fba64ea7fc929064f6fb7730bab214a690fd255164e7c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [KoolPal](https://profiles.wordpress.org/koolpal007/) 1:48 am _on_ May 3, 2025 7. Will this address “forum moderation hell” on wordpress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) forums too? Thrust upon people who did not see eye to eye with “forum moderators”??? 8. Just curious! 9. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/250257111d1248c34046552bbcdf6999949ef56b2f992dd5eb39bf45cabeb18a? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Samuel Wood (Otto)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/) 1:14 am _on_ May 4, 2025 * No, it most definitely will not. If you were removed for cause, then you will stay removed. 10. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6b17e68ac4e17dfc7fbf67117de5241c4319f20ec294956dcb247034625cd3a1? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 11. [Destiny Kanno](https://profiles.wordpress.org/piyopiyofox/) 12:00 am _on_ May 4, 2025 12. 32 accounts have been unblocked to date, and unblocked users will be receiving an email soon notifying them of the change. 13. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6b17e68ac4e17dfc7fbf67117de5241c4319f20ec294956dcb247034625cd3a1? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 14. [Destiny Kanno](https://profiles.wordpress.org/piyopiyofox/) 3:07 am _on_ May 8, 2025 15. Reviews have been concluded and all unblocked community members have been notified of their unblocking. 16. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb73c67aab91d200a7694ba44c4cb22bb3a1fa09591cbce8a154a2f2a1c7e673? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 17. [Joni Halabi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/thatdevgirl/) 3:29 pm _on_ May 8, 2025 18. I can verify that a non-zero number of people were blocked for petty reasons – i.e. reacting to a post they disagreed with using a thumbs-down emoji. 19. What assurances can leadership give to the users that “petty blocks” will not happen in the future? (As far as I am aware, publicly disagreeing with a statement does not violate community guidelines.) 20. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b526d80d5686c4f193e70eade9dc5d20021d8f47cecd3661be2cd37d0b3cb772? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 21. [ulicgn](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ulicgn/) 2:46 pm _on_ January 21, 2026 22. It is an old thread – but I did not find a better place to ask – so did this sort of review also cover moderated users, i.e. users whose form posts are forced into moderation? As a long-term wordpress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) member, with only occasional participation in support threads of plugins I have used over the years, I somehow managed to get on the list of users being moderated. 23. How and where can I ask for this being reverted? It is in effect for, I think, more than a year which is probably long enough now. And no, I did never take part in any discussion revolving around the ACF/WP-Engine issues. 24. To my knowledge, I have not violated any community standards, but if necessary I can truly “express my a commitment to follow the community code of conduct and forum rules” in the future. Being unblocked or unmoderated would help to get comments or reports on the support forums online without waiting for moderation. Thanks& best regards Uli 25. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/250257111d1248c34046552bbcdf6999949ef56b2f992dd5eb39bf45cabeb18a? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Samuel Wood (Otto)](https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/) 7:39 am _on_ January 27, 2026 * > It is in effect for, I think, more than a year which is probably long enough > now * That’s not how moderation watch works. * The moderators don’t want to read all your posts and manually approve them. That’s kind of a pain in the rear to them. So the way you get off moderation watch is to simply post good stuff, normally, without having to have any moderation done to your posts. Essentially, post enough normal content to where they remove the flag, because it is no longer needed. * If the fact that you’re being moderated causes you to simply not post or otherwise leave the forums, then that’s fine too, because that means the flag never gets removed. It causes them no stress at all to not have to moderate posts that are not actually getting posted. * In other words, the flag goes away through normal use of the forums, not simply because of time. ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/01/review-of-blocked-community-members/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2025%2F05%2F01%2Freview-of-blocked-community-members%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← A New Cadence for WordPress Core](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/04/16/a-new-cadence-for-wordpress-core/) [Restoring Trust while Preserving Safety →](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/05/21/restoring-trust-while-preserving-safety/)