Google has reportedly laid off its entire Python team in a cost-cutting move. According to a report by Free Press Journal, the company plans to hire cheaper labor outside the United States to reduce expenses. Former team members have expressed deep sadness and disappointment at the decision, calling it ‘by far the best job’ in their careers.
The report suggests that Google is building a new Python team from scratch in Munich, Germany. The US Python team reportedly consisted of less than 10 members who were responsible for overseeing a large part of the Python ecosystem at Google. Their work included maintaining a stable version of Python at the company, updating thousands of third-party packages, and developing a typechecker.
Google has also announced job cuts in its real estate and finance departments. The finance teams affected include Google’s treasury, business services, and revenue cash operations. The company’s finance chief, Ruth Porat, has stated that the restructuring involves expanding growth to Bangalore, Mexico City, and Dublin.
In January, Google laid off hundreds of workers across multiple teams, including its engineering, hardware, and assistant teams, as the company refocuses its investment strategy and develops its artificial intelligence offerings.
The company’s latest round of layoffs has raised concerns about its commitment to its employees and its long-term plans. Critics argue that the outsourcing of jobs could have negative consequences for the US tech industry and the economy as a whole. Google has not yet publicly commented on the specific reasons behind the layoffs or the future of its Python team.
