Code for the People defends the future of the open web

Code for the People: The Human Story of the Open Web is a documentary dedicated to the history of WordPress and to the defense of a digital infrastructure built on open-source software, content ownership and the ability to modify code.

The film, which runs for approximately twenty minutes, has been available to watch online for free since July 9, 2026.

Code for the People tells the story of those who built WordPress

The film is directed by Bao Nguyen, whose previous works include Be Water, a documentary about Bruce Lee, and The Greatest Night in Pop, about the recording of “We Are the World.” Automattic presents the short film as an account of the past, present and contested future of the open web, told through the experiences of developers, creators and members of the WordPress community.

The documentary features Matt Mullenweg, Anne McCarthy, Ian Stewart, Beau Lebens, Eric Binnion, Paul Maiorana and Mary Hubbard. Mullenweg also mentioned the participation of Marjorie Asturias, Matías Ventura, Matthew Miller and Paolo Belcastro. Their testimonies explain the principles of open source: access to code, the freedom to use it, and the ability to study, modify and share it.

The film cites Myspace and Friendster as examples of digital spaces that disappeared along with a significant portion of the content and relationships hosted within them: a private platform can change its algorithms, shut down a service or restrict access to a community built by its users.

Automattic’s proposal is the same one it has promoted for years through WordPress: owning a website and being able to transfer data and content, rather than depending entirely on the terms set by a social network.

Closed platforms and artificial intelligence enter the documentary

Code for the People also addresses the concentration of traffic and attention in the hands of a small number of platforms. Automattic argues that an increasing share of what users see, publish and own online is governed by companies that control algorithms, infrastructure and recommendation systems.

Artificial intelligence enters the discussion through the distinction between closed models and accessible technologies. Mullenweg explained that the documentary includes a segment criticizing OpenAI and the gap between the company’s name and the proprietary nature of many of its systems.

He nevertheless acknowledged the subsequent release of open-weight models, specifically mentioning Safeguard. According to Mullenweg, the most advanced open-weight models currently come mainly from China, with Nvidia Nemotron as the leading Western exception, placed at around twelfth position in the ranking he cited.

The open web preached by those who own the platform

Before its free release, the film was screened on July 1 at the Crosby Street Hotel in New York. The screening was followed by a discussion moderated by journalist Todd Spangler, featuring Bao Nguyen, Matt Mullenweg and other guests. A second preview took place on July 7 at KQED’s premises, located at 2601 Mariposa Street in San Francisco.

The argument does not come from a disinterested observer. Automattic is taking a battle that for years appeared to belong to mailing lists, repositories and licensing debates outside the developer community, and it is doing so through a documentary produced by the same company that has every interest in presenting WordPress as a bulwark against closed platforms.

However, when texts, photographs, contacts and audiences exist solely within a private platform, users do not truly own their space: they are allowed to use it only for as long as the company finds it convenient not to shut it down, restrict it or demolish it by changing a single line in its terms of service.