Mozilla Foundation Layoffs Hit 30%, Sparking Concern Over Internet Impact
The Mozilla Foundation, parent company of the popular Firefox web browser, has laid off 30% of its workforce as part of a broader restructuring effort. The organization’s advocacy and global programs divisions have been eliminated, raising questions about its future impact on the internet.
According to Brandon Borrman, communications chief for the Mozilla Foundation, the layoffs do not signal an end to the organization’s mission to protect the health of the internet. “Fighting for a free and open internet will always be core to our mission,” Borrman stated. “We’re revisiting how we pursue that work, not stopping it.”
This is Mozilla’s second round of layoffs in 2023, following a similar restructuring effort in February that saw around 60 workers let go. The foundation had approximately 120 employees before the latest round of cuts.
Executive Director Nabhia Syed recently emailed all employees, stating that the advocacy and global programs divisions “are no longer part of our structure.” Syed, who previously worked as CEO of investigative news site The Markup, acknowledged that making tough decisions is necessary to achieve lofty goals.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24289124/mozilla-foundation-layoffs-advocacy-global-programs