Meta Platforms has announced a new wave of layoffs internally. The workforce is to be cut by a tenth. That corresponds to almost 8,000 terminations. Meta confirmed a corresponding report from Bloomberg to heise online as correct, otherwise the data company does not comment on it.
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The dismissals will also specifically affect employees who have made “valuable contributions,” writes HR department manager Janelle Gale in an internal circular. It’s in the Wall Street Journal. Those affected should be informed on May 20th. The data company is also withdrawing 6,000 job advertisements.
Meta needs funds for AI
Gale cites efficiency gains and compensation for investments as reasons for the wave of layoffs. Last year, Meta spent a good $72 billion on long-term assets – primarily data centers for artificial intelligence. This year this item is expected to rise to between $115 and $135 billion. That exceeds even Meta’s current assets. And, once built, the data centers incur operating costs.
In order to strengthen cash flow, management has decided to lay off thousands of employees. Meta Platforms has already redlined the department for the failing Metaverse twice this year: 1,500 employees were let go at the beginning of the year, and another 700 in March.
The classic advertising business Metas is doing brilliantly. More users than ever are watching more advertising than ever on Meta Platforms services. At the same time, Meta can charge more money than ever before. The fourth quarter of 2025 was a new record quarter for the group. Quarterly sales were nearly a quarter higher than a year earlier, reaching nearly $60 billion. At the same time, Meta pays significantly less taxes. Meta would like to announce the financial figures for the first quarter of 2026 next week.
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