Google has laid off hundreds of employees from its Android, Pixel, and Chrome teams, raising questions about whether the ongoing antitrust trial is playing a role in these job cuts. While the company cites internal restructuring as the main reason, the timing has sparked speculation. Here’s what we know about the layoffs, the affected teams, and the larger changes within Google.
Hundreds Laid Off From Key Product Teams
According to The Information report, the latest round of layoffs hit Google’s Platforms and Devices division, which oversees major products like Android software, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser. The cuts reportedly follow a voluntary exit programme launched earlier this year, targeting US employees in these units.
Google has not revealed the exact number of employees impacted, but sources suggest the figure runs into the hundreds. This comes after a major internal reorganisation in 2023, when Google merged its Android and Chrome teams under the leadership of senior executive Rick Osterloh. The newly combined unit had over 20,000 employees at the time.
Why The Layoffs?
A Google spokesperson told The Information that the move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at boosting efficiency. “Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively,” the spokesperson said. The company also stated that job reductions were necessary alongside the voluntary exit offer made in January.
Despite the cuts, Google says it is still hiring across other roles in the US and globally.
Ongoing Antitrust Trial A Factor?
Though Google hasn’t linked the layoffs directly to its legal troubles, some analysts believe the company’s broader cost-cutting efforts could be influenced by growing regulatory scrutiny. Google is currently involved in a major antitrust trial in the US, which has pushed the company to reassess its operations and resource allocation.
It’s worth noting that teams working on Google Search and artificial intelligence were not part of the exit programme or the recent layoffs, possibly indicating where the company’s future focus lies.