According to TechCrunch, the Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit entity associated with the Firefox browser, has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off 30% of its employees. This decision comes as the organization faces what it describes as a 'relentless onslaught of change.' Brandon Borrman, Mozilla Foundation’s communications chief, confirmed the layoffs in an email, stating that the foundation is reorganizing its teams to enhance agility and impact. This restructuring aims to focus on ensuring a more open and equitable technological future, which unfortunately involves ending some historical projects and eliminating related roles.
The Mozilla Foundation, which reported having 60 employees in its 2022 tax filings, had approximately 120 employees at the time of the layoffs, according to a source familiar with the matter. Mozilla’s spokesperson did not dispute this figure when contacted by TechCrunch. This marks the second round of layoffs at Mozilla this year, with the first affecting employees involved in developing the Firefox browser. Mozilla comprises several organizations, including the Mozilla Corporation, which develops Firefox and other technologies, and the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, which oversees corporate governance and policy setting.
The foundation has been known for its advocacy work in privacy, inclusion, and decentralization of technologies, aiming to create safer and more transparent online experiences. However, in an email to employees on October 30, Mozilla Foundation’s executive director, Nabiha Syed, announced that two major divisions, advocacy and global programs, are no longer part of the foundation's structure. Despite this, Borrman later clarified that advocacy remains a central aspect of the foundation’s work and will be integrated into other functional areas.
Syed, who joined the foundation in February, emphasized the need for a unified and powerful narrative from the organization, including a revamp of its strategic communications. She highlighted the high-stakes nature of Mozilla’s mission amid rapid technological changes and the importance of prioritizing people over profit. Syed acknowledged the challenging nature of the current environment, stating that achieving lofty goals requires making difficult decisions, including letting go of some successful past initiatives to reach new heights.