Google has confirmed the dismissal of staff from within its platforms and devices division, responsible for products like Android, Pixel hardware, and the Chrome browser – signalling a continuous drive to streamline the business and cut costs.
The cuts were first made public last Friday by The Information, following a January move by the company that provided employees with an option for voluntary departure, as reported by City AM.
In a statement, a Google spokesperson acknowledged the layoffs as part of the tech behemoth's ongoing restructuring, which began after last year's merger of the Android software and hardware teams to enhance operational efficiency.
"Since combining the platforms and devices teams last year we've focused on being more nimble and operating more effectively," they commented.
This news surfaces amid escalating uncertainty in the technology sector, compounded by new US tariffs on Chinese goods predicted to strain supply chains and push up production costs for gadget manufacturers.
With many of its Pixel devices assembled in Asia, Google is facing increasing challenges to overhaul its production strategies in response to these changes.
These cutbacks align with parent corporation Alphabet's broader strategy to reduce expenditures. In 2023, it made significant job cuts, terminating around six percent of its global workforce, owing to economic challenges and a refocused approach on essential business areas.
More recently, in February, Google disclosed additional specific reductions within its cloud operation, although this impacted just a limited number of teams.
Google is among many other leading tech firms currently bracing for a tighter economic environment.
Tech behemoths such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have all made substantial staff cuts over the past 18 months, as the industry adapts to slower growth and investor pressure to prioritise profitability.
