Mozilla Foundation Shrinks by 30%, Ends Key Advocacy Divisions

Mozilla Foundation Reduces Workforce by 30% and Phases Out Key Divisions

Mozilla Foundation, the parent company of the Mozilla Corporation - renowned for its Firefox web browser, reduced its workforce by nearly 30% at the end of October. The cut backs deeply affected its advocacy and global programs divisions, eventually leading to their complete dissolution, as reported by TechCrunch.

The Impact on Internet Advocacy

The Mozilla Foundation, traditionally a champion for an open and free internet, may see its influence reduced with the dissolution of its advocacy and global programs divisions. However, Brandon Borrman, the communications chief at Mozilla Foundation, reaffirmed that their commitment to fight for a free and open internet is unwavering. In an email to The Verge, Borrman did not discuss the specifics of the workforce reduction, but confirmed it was approximately "30% of the current team".

Navigating Through a Distracting Time

The slashing of these key divisions represents the second round of layoffs at Mozilla this year. In February, Mozilla Corporation let go of approximately 60 workers, citing a "strategic correction". This decision involved shifting focus from its work on Mastodon instance, shutting down its virtual 3D platform, and redirecting its efforts towards its core Firefox and AI projects. According to reports, The Mozilla Foundation had approximately 120 employees prior to the latest layoffs.

The executive director of the foundation, Nabhia Syed, echoed this sentiment in an email to all employees on October 30th, stating that the advocacy and global programs divisions "are no longer part of our structure". In the same email, Syed highlighted the necessity of maintaining a "laser focus" and making "hard choices" to continue progressing toward their lofty goals.