https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/mozilla-foundation-lays-off-30-staff-drops-advocacy-division/ [tc-lockup] TechCrunch Desktop Logo [tc-lo] TechCrunch Mobile Logo * Latest * Startups * Venture * Apple * Security * AI * Apps * Events * Podcasts * Newsletters Sign In Search [ ]Submit * Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture More from TechCrunch Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Sign In a firefox logo outside Mozilla's offices in San FranciscoImage Credits:Luliia Serova / Getty Images Security Mozilla Foundation lays off 30% staff, drops advocacy division Zack Whittaker 12:05 PM PST * November 5, 2024 The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Firefox browser maker Mozilla, has laid off 30% of its employees as the organization says it faces a "relentless onslaught of change." When reached by TechCrunch, Mozilla Foundation's communications chief Brandon Borrman confirmed the layoffs in an email. "The Mozilla Foundation is reorganizing teams to increase agility and impact as we accelerate our work to ensure a more open and equitable technical future for us all. That unfortunately means ending some of the work we have historically pursued and eliminating associated roles to bring more focus going forward," read the statement shared with TechCrunch. According to its annual tax filings, the Mozilla Foundation reported having 60 employees during the 2022 tax year. The number of employees at the time of the layoffs was closer to 120 people, according to a person with knowledge. When asked by TechCrunch, Mozilla's spokesperson did not dispute the figure. This is the second layoff at Mozilla this year, the first affecting dozens of employees who work on the side of the organization that builds the popular Firefox browser. Mozilla is made up of several organizations, one of which is the Mozilla Corporation, which develops Firefox and other technologies, and another is its nonprofit and tax-exempt Foundation, which oversees Mozilla's corporate governance structure and sets the browser maker's policies. Much of Mozilla's work focused on advocating for privacy, inclusion, and decentralization of technologies, and "to create safer, more transparent online experiences for everyone," which ultimately benefit the browser maker and its users. Announcing the layoffs in an email to all employees on October 30, the Mozilla Foundation's executive director Nabiha Syed confirmed that two of the foundation's major divisions -- advocacy and global programs -- are "no longer a part of our structure." After publication, Borrman told TechCrunch that "advocacy is still a central tenet of Mozilla Foundation's work and will be embedded in all the other functional areas," without providing specifics. The move, according to Syed, is in part to produce a "unified, powerful narrative from the Foundation," including revamping the foundation's strategic communications. "Our mission at Mozilla is more high-stakes than ever," wrote Syed in an email to staff, a copy of which was shared with TechCrunch. "We find ourselves in a relentless onslaught of change in the technology (and broader) world, and the idea of putting people before profit feels increasingly radical." "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. Lofty goals demand hard choices," wrote Syed. Syed, who joined the Mozilla Foundation in February, previously served as chief executive at data journalism and investigative news site The Markup. Updated with comment from Mozilla. Topics cybersecurity, Exclusive, Firefox, Layoffs, Mozilla, Security Most Popular * Bowery Farming is ceasing operations + Rebecca Szkutak * Apple users can soon upgrade to ChatGPT Plus within the Settings app + Maxwell Zeff * Perplexity CEO offers AI company's services to replace striking NYT staff + Devin Coldewey * Regulators deliver successive blows to Amazon and Meta's nuclear power ambitions + Tim De Chant * Anthropic hikes the price of its Haiku model + Kyle Wiggers * Anduril is considering Arizona, Ohio, or Texas for its massive manufacturing facility, source says + Marina Temkin * Decart's AI simulates a real-time, playable version of Minecraft + Kyle Wiggers Author Avatar Zack Whittaker Security Editor Zack Whittaker is the security editor at TechCrunch. You can send tips securely via Signal and WhatsApp to +1 646-755-8849. He can also be reached by email at zack.whittaker@techcrunch.com. You can also submit files and documents securely via SecureDrop. 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