Google is once again in the spotlight for streamlining its operations, this time with a targeted reduction in its news division. After laying off hundreds of employees last month, the tech giant has reportedly cut 40-45 jobs in its news department, signaling ongoing restructuring within the company.
According to a CNBC report, the exact number of job cuts hasn’t been officially confirmed by Google, but a spokesperson from the Alphabet Workers Union acknowledged the layoffs in the news division. This move follows the recent termination of hundreds of employees in the recruiting group, highlighting Google’s commitment to organizational adjustments.
Google’s Position in News Curation: As a prominent player in the tech industry, Google has played a crucial role in news curation and distribution. The Google News platform, known for delivering tailored news articles based on readers’ interests and locations, has been central to the company’s engagement with the information ecosystem.
A Google spokesperson, while acknowledging the job cuts, emphasized the company’s dedication to a vibrant information ecosystem. The spokesperson stated, “We’ve made some internal changes to streamline our organization. A small number of employees were impacted. We’re supporting everyone with a transition period, outplacement services, and severance as they look for new opportunities at Google and beyond.”
This round of layoffs is part of Google’s broader restructuring initiatives in its news division, following the downsizing announced earlier this year. In January, Alphabet revealed plans to reduce its global workforce by 6 percent, affecting approximately 12,000 employees across Google and other Alphabet divisions. The company attributed this decision to a reevaluation of its hiring practices, which had expanded in response to the surge in the digital economy during the pandemic.
The recent wave of layoffs extends beyond Google, reflecting a broader trend within the tech industry. Notable companies such as LinkedIn and Qualcomm have also announced significant job cuts as part of their strategic restructuring efforts. LinkedIn, for instance, laid off around 668 employees, contributing to a total of 1,400 layoffs in 2023, while Qualcomm terminated 1,258 employees in two of its California offices.
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