Mozilla Foundation Cuts 30% of Staff

The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit arm behind the Firefox browser, has laid off 30% of its employees, confirming a "relentless onslaught of change" facing the organization, reports TechCrunch.

The layoffs, affecting roughly 120 employees, come as Mozilla Foundation undergoes a "reorganization" to "increase agility and impact," according to a statement from communications chief Brandon Borrman.

This marks the second round of layoffs for Mozilla this year, following a February round that affected dozens of employees on the browser development side of the organization.

The Mozilla Foundation, separate from the Mozilla Corporation which develops Firefox, has historically focused on advocacy for privacy, inclusion, and decentralization of technologies, aiming to create "safer, more transparent online experiences for everyone."

However, in an email to employees, Executive Director Nabiha Syed announced that two major divisions – advocacy and global programs – are being eliminated.

"Navigating this topsy-turvy, distracting time requires laser focus – and sometimes saying goodbye to the excellent work that has gotten us this far because it won’t get us to the next peak," Syed wrote.

While Borrman clarified that advocacy remains "a central tenet of Mozilla Foundation's work," he did not elaborate on the specifics of how it will be integrated into other areas.

Syed's email emphasized the need for a "unified, powerful narrative" from the Foundation, including revamping its strategic communications.

This move comes as Mozilla faces a challenging landscape, with increasing competition in the browser market and the rise of large tech companies prioritizing profit over principles.