International: Google Initiates Fresh Layoffs Across Android and Pixel Teams
Major Cuts in Android, Pixel and Chrome Divisions
Tech giant Google has once again initiated significant layoffs, affecting hundreds of employees working in its Android, Pixel, and Chrome divisions. According to a report published by the reputable international news platform The Information, several teams across Google’s platforms and device units have been impacted. While the exact number of employees laid off has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate the scale is considerable.
Restructuring and Cost Control Strategy
These layoffs are part of Google’s ongoing internal restructuring and cost optimization strategy. Over the past two years, the company has repeatedly trimmed its workforce. In December 2023, Google removed approximately 10% of employees from managerial and executive roles, including directors and vice presidents. Earlier in February 2024, layoffs were executed within its Human Resources and Cloud Organization teams, primarily aimed at reducing operational costs.
Layoffs Follow 12,000 Job Cuts in 2023
In 2022, Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the need for 20% of the workforce to improve efficiency. Shortly thereafter, the company laid off 12,000 employees globally. The current phase of job cuts reflects Google’s focus on prioritizing high-impact and strategically aligned business units.
Rising Competition and Immigration Policy Pressures
The layoffs come at a time when emerging companies like OpenAI are posing serious competition threat in the search engine space. This increased competitive pressure may be influencing Google’s internal restructuring. Additionally, with the U.S. government under Donald Trump reinforcing stricter immigration policies targeting foreign tech workers, these job cuts have gained further significance, particularly in the American technology ecosystem.