Tech giant Alphabet’s Google has laid off several hundred employees from its Platforms and Devices division, which includes major product lines such as Android, Pixel, and Chrome, according to a report citing a source familiar with the matter.
The job cuts are part of a broader restructuring initiative that began after Google merged its platforms and devices teams last year in a bid to streamline operations. In a statement, a Google spokesperson said the company is focused on becoming more agile and efficient, and that the recent layoffs are in addition to a voluntary exit program launched in January 2024. “Since combining the platforms and devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively. This included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program we offered earlier this year,” the spokesperson said.
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As of now, Google has not issued an official public statement in response to requests for comment from media outlets. The layoffs reflect a broader shift across the tech industry, with major players reallocating resources toward artificial intelligence development and data infrastructure, while scaling back on other business segments.
Earlier this year, Meta reportedly dismissed around 5% of its lowest-performing staff as it ramped up hiring in machine learning roles. Similarly, Microsoft cut 650 jobs from its Xbox division, while Amazon and Apple also implemented staff reductions across different departments in 2023. Google itself had previously downsized its cloud division earlier this year, affecting a limited number of teams. In January 2023, Alphabet announced one of its largest-ever workforce reductions—cutting around 12,000 roles, or roughly 6% of its global staff. The latest layoffs signal continued cost optimization efforts by big tech firms, even as they accelerate investments in next-generation technologies like AI, machine learning, and cloud services.