Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices division, which is responsible for key products including Android software, Pixel smartphones and the Chrome browser, The Information reported. The cuts come after a voluntary redundancy program offered to employees in January.
Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Platforms and Devices division, which is responsible for key products including Android software, Pixel smartphones and the Chrome browser, The Information reported. The cuts come after a voluntary redundancy program offered to employees in January.
The move is part of an ongoing restructuring that began last year when Google merged its Android and Chrome teams into the Pixel and Devices group, led by CEO Rick Osterloh. At the time of the merger, the combined unit had more than 20,000 employees.
A Google representative confirmed the layoffs, saying the restructuring is aimed at increasing efficiency and flexibility in the platforms and devices team.
“After combining our platforms and devices teams last year, we focused on becoming more agile and efficient. This included reducing some jobs in addition to the voluntary redundancy program we offered in January,” a company spokesperson said. The company also said hiring was continuing in the U.S. and around the world.
In December, Google announced a 10% cut in its executive staff to improve efficiency. In February, the company cut nearly 100 employees in its cloud division.
