Google parent Alphabet reportedly slashed hundreds of jobs in the division responsible for Android and its Chrome web browser as part of its latest restructuring.
The layoffs hit Google’s platforms and devices division, which also includes employees working on Google Photos and other hardware like the Pixel, Fitbit and Nest products, the Information reported on Thursday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
“Since combining the platforms and devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively and this included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
The exact number of impacted workers was not immediately clear.
The Post has reached out to Google for comment.
In January, Google extended “voluntary” buyout offers to members of the same division. The company said US-based staffers who applied for the offer learned by March 25 if they were approved and received a severance package.
The Big Tech giant has conducted ongoing restructuring as it pours more resources into the race to develop advanced AI.
Last October, Alphabet CFO Anat Ashkenazi said the company would be looking for “additional opportunities” for cost cuts.
In 2023, Google laid off about 12,000 employees, or roughly 6% of its overall workforce.
After the latest cuts, the firm still has about 180,000 employees globally.
Other tech rivals have also trimmed their workforces in recent months. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta cut 5% of “low performers” earlier this year as the CEO warned of an “intense year” ahead.
