Google Lays Off Hundreds in Android, Pixel, Chrome Units Amid Restructuring

By siliconindia  |  Friday, 11 April 2025, 02:13:00 PM IST

Google Lays Off Hundreds in Android, Pixel, Chrome Units Amid Restructuring
Google, owned by Alphabet, has been laying off several hundred employees in its Platforms and Devices unit, affecting teams working on Android, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser. The action forms part of a continued restructuring plan to enhance efficiency in the firm's major product divisions, The Information reported.
The new round of layoffs comes after Google unified the Android and Chrome divisions under the Pixel and Devices banner last year. The combined unit, which initially had more than 20,000 employees, is now spearheaded by top executive Rick Osterloh. Google confirmed the layoffs in a statement, citing the company's desire to run in a leaner and more efficient way.
"Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more agile. This included job reductions alongside a voluntary exit programme offered earlier this year", the spokesperson noted.
The January 2025 launch of the voluntary exit program was aimed at U.S. workers in the Android, Pixel, and Chrome units. The program was intended for employees who may not fit into the new merged division's vision or who struggled with hybrid work demands. Interestingly, Search and AI unit employees were not included in this exercise.
In spite of the lay-offs, Google has reaffirmed that recruitment is ongoing in some positions within the U.S. as well as internationally. The company, which had already downsized its global staff by about 6% in 2023, continues to have a total of about 180,000 employees.
This reorganization is viewed as part of a larger trend within Google to focus on areas like artificial intelligence and cloud services, and simplify older product categories. The technology giant continues to adjust its operations in order to remain competitive amidst rapid industry transformations.

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