Google cuts jobs across Platforms and Devices unit, "we have focused on ...," says Google spokesperson confirming layoffs

has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees across various divisions, including teams working on Android software, Pixel devices, and the Chrome browser. According to The Information, which cited a person familiar with the matter, the job cuts come in the wake of voluntary buyout offers made by the company to employees in these units earlier in January.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the move in a statement to the publication.
“Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively and this included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier this year in February, Google expanded its “voluntary exit” programme. The programme, initially offered to employees in its Platforms & Devices division, was expanded to include its People Operations (HR) team. n an email to employees on Tuesday, Google's Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, detailed the broadened voluntary exit programme, which is open to US-based HR employees. The program is part of the company’s effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency within the People Operations team.

In the same month, Google reduced its headcount in its cloud division. “As teams have been doing across the company, we’re making changes to continue to invest in areas that are critical to our business and ensure our long-term success,” a spokesperson then said.
The move was announced amid slower growth in Google’s cloud business and rising investments to fuel the company’s AI ambitions. Alphabet had earlier missed analysts’ revenue expectations for its cloud division, reporting $11.96 billion in revenue for Q4 2024—below the projected $12.19 billion.