In reply to John Blackbourn.

John, when we talked about exactly this issue at WordCamp Europe, you pointed out that at this point in time whoever puts the most developers (directly or indirect payment) on WordPress core has control over the WordPress project.
In addition to the Automattic paid core contributors employees, Automattic has many nominally independent but indirectly employed by WordPress.com or Audrey Capital company contributors). There's also the mysterious Apollo team [https://konstantin.obenland.it/2015/01/22/indoor-skydiving/] which as far as I can see was specifically formed to maintain control over the open source WordPress.org version.
When MM/Automattic insist on something like Calypso or Shiny Updates (or in this case inserts dubious Facebook encumbered code), for the moment Automattic have the controlling voice. As you pointed out in your Wordcamp Europe talk, WordPress desperately needs independent leadership. Someone carrying the weight of a billion dollar market cap company on his/her shoulder will have a great deal of difficulty exercising independent judgement.
"I thought it was the right thing to do so I shaved $200 million off the value of your investment today." Difficult to say to either shareholding employees and to financial investors.
Perhaps WordPress needs a more formal governing structure with affiliations (including yours to Human Made and my own to FV) made very clear, including indirect ownership or subsidy (if a company is primarily subsidised by another commercial entity, it's hardly independent).