Google lays offs hundreds from Android, Pixel, and Chrome teams

Google is reported have laid off hundreds of employees from its various platforms and divisions, including Android software, Pixel smartphones and Chrome browser, on Thursday.

The latest lay-offs, although look insignificant in relation to Google’s worldwide workforce, is part of a broader restructuring across various divisions of the company.

Earlier, in January this year, Google had offered voluntary buyouts to employees in the same unit. And, in February, the tech giant had laid off reduced workforce in its cloud division, although by a smaller number.

For Google, the move is aimed at making the company more nimble across various platforms and devices by combining various platforms and devices.

Google started combining its 20,000-odd Android and Chrome workforce last year, bringing the teams under the Pixel and Devices group, led by company executive Rick Osterloh. 

This, according to a company spokesperson, may make some jobs redundant and involve job reductions in addition to the voluntary retirement programme that the company had offered in January.

Google had, in January 2023, announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, which is about 6 per cent of its global workforce. That, however, appears to be a continuing efforts to become more agile and efficient.

Despite the ongoing job cuts Google has a total workforce of around 180,000 employees. The company is yet to issue an official statement on the reported job cuts.