Internal sources reveal that Meta has begun layoffs across several key departments, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Reality Labs, although the specific number of employees affected has not been disclosed. Furthermore, some lower-priority projects have been canceled to alleviate investor concerns over high-stakes bets on the metaverse.

However, unlike previous large-scale layoffs, this round is smaller in scope and is part of a company strategy restructuring aimed at aligning current resources with the company's long-term goals.

Following the news, some Meta employees have confirmed the arrangement on their personal social media platforms.

Dave Arnold from Meta stated in a release, “Some teams at Meta are undergoing adjustments, with the company relocating certain teams to different locations and some employees being reassigned to different positions to ensure resources are aligned with its long-term strategic goals and location strategy. In cases where positions are eliminated, we will work to find other opportunities for the affected employees.”

This round of layoffs follows a small-scale reduction in the Reality Labs department earlier this year. In recent years, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs to reduce costs, referring to 2023 as the “Year of Efficiency.”

In 2022, Meta laid off 11,000 employees for the first time due to overly optimistic growth forecasts post-pandemic. Subsequently, Zuckerberg initiated a second round of layoffs in 2023, cutting an additional 10,000 positions.

Additionally, reports indicate that Meta has terminated over 20 employees in Los Angeles for using a daily $25 meal allowance to purchase items like acne patches, cups, and laundry detergent. The company has not yet responded to this.

So far this year, Meta's stock has risen over 60%. In the recently disclosed Q2 financial report, Meta's revenue exceeded market expectations and provided an optimistic sales forecast for Q3, believing that strong digital ad revenues on its social media platforms are sufficient to cover the costs of AI investments.