Google Faces Layoff Rumors Amid Potential Chrome Sale

Regulatory pressures within the U.S. and different nations accusing Google of monopolizing the web search market have fueled discussions in regards to the potential sale of Chrome, elevating considerations amongst workers. Stories on the nameless discussion board Team Blind counsel this transfer might set off mass layoffs in early 2025, with about 1,200 workers reportedly already let go earlier than Christmas.

A Crew Blind person highlighted attainable indicators of a hiring freeze and upcoming layoffs, prompting responses from self-identified Google workers confirming January dismissals. Hypothesis signifies that lower-paid workers, whose hiring elevated by 8-10% in 2024, are the most definitely to be affected.

Including to those rumors, Alphabet’s CFO, Anat Ashkenazi, acknowledged throughout a Q3 earnings name that the corporate is working to scale back prices by simplifying operations, leveraging synthetic intelligence (AI). This means Google might plan to switch sure roles with AI options, regardless of requiring vital investments over the following few years.

Stories additionally emerged of latest layoffs in Google Cloud Gross sales, with roughly 1,200 workers allegedly dismissed. If true, this is able to mark the start of a brand new wave of job cuts at Google, following the large-scale layoffs in January 2023, when 12,000 workers had been let go globally.

Whereas no official affirmation hyperlinks these layoffs to Chrome’s potential sale, the scenario underscores rising tensions inside Google because it navigates regulatory challenges and operational restructuring. Efforts to halt the Chrome sale, together with anticipated interference from Donald Trump, seem unlikely, as Choose Amit Mehta is anticipated to reject the previous president’s involvement within the case.

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