E124: WordPress 6.8.3, WordCamp Organizer Banned, Hosting Team Rep Nominations

In this episode, we cover the release of WordPress 6.8.3, a crucial security update fixing two critical vulnerabilities, and a major policy change from WordPress Community Support after misuse of WordCamp funds. Higher education partnerships expand with Fidélitas University’s WordPress Campus Connect, while Gutenberg 21.8 introduces the much-anticipated “hide block” option and updates ahead of WordPress 6.9.

Security remains top of mind as a Yoast SEO Premium XSS flaw gets patched in version 26.0, and WooCommerce 10.3 rolls out experimental session management and AI-ready merchant tools. In business and community updates, WPExperts acquires Gutena Forms, WooCommerce partners with Snapchat, and the Checkout Summit 2026 Inclusion Grant opens for applicants. Microsoft ends its nonprofit ads program, while WP World, SeedProd, Rocket.net, and Amelia debut major redesigns.

We also explore innovations like Suggerence – Gutenberg Edition, Yoast AI Brand Insights, and Adam Zieliński’s PHP Playground, plus the latest AI experiments from Andy Peatling and new creative plugins from the WordPress community.

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🎧 Tune in for this week’s WordPress updates, community highlights, and emerging AI-driven innovations shaping the future of the open web.