Alphabet child company, Google, disclosed that it is reducing staff at mapping software Waze since it integrates the program’s ad network with its Google Ads infrastructure but it did not provide the exact number of layoffs that will be done.
A Google division called Waze, originally known as FreeMap Israel provides GPS-enabled satellite apps for navigation for mobile devices and other computing platforms.
It integrates user-submitted journey times along with route details as well as turn-by-turn guidance while collecting location-dependent data via a cell phone network. Waze advertises the application as an entirely free download and usage driven by communities project.
“In order to create a better, more seamless long-term experience for Waze advertisers, we’ve begun transitioning Waze’s existing advertising system to Google Ads technology. As part of this update, we’ve reduced those roles focused on Waze Ads monetization,” Google, which acquired Waze for about $1.3 billion in 2013, said.
Source: indianexpress.com
In order to streamline operations, Google confirmed in December that it was going to combine the Waze & Google Maps departments. As a result, Waze would become an entity of the Google Geographic section, which manages Google Maps as well as Google Earth, including Street View among other real-world mapping tools.
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The Verge highlighted that Waze had been purchased by Google for the sum of 1.3 billion USD in 2013 along with the fact it had stayed separate from Google Maps until 2021. The situation shifted, though, in September of the previous year after Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Google, revealed that he was striving to increase corporate productivity in response to investor demand.
As reported by Bloomberg, Google’s owner firm Alphabet stated at the beginning of this year that it will be cutting off approximately 12,000 workers, or about 6 percent of its staff. Google has been attempting to cut expenses as income from online advertisements has been dropping.
“Google remains deeply committed to growing Waze’s unique brand, its beloved app, and its thriving community of volunteers and users,” Caroline Bourdeau, Waze’s head of PR, said in the statement.
Source: theverge.com
Job cuts are not a new thing nowadays. Many tech Giants such as Twitter, Amazon, etc are also laying off employees in the economic downturn caused by post covid situations.
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