Just this week, Meta was found to be allowing social media addiction, and putting children at risk on its platforms.
Meta has begun laying off several hundred employees globally, as the company continues to realign its priorities towards AI.
Some news publications put the total number of layoffs worldwide at 700. According to reports, affected departments include Reality Labs, Facebook, global operations, recruiting and sales.
The tech giant employs around 79,000 people worldwide, with around 1,800 in Ireland spread across 80 teams. SiliconRepublic.com understands that around 15 jobs were affected in Ireland, apart from the roles at Reality Labs which were affected – which, the Information reports, are expected to be hit hard around the world.
“Teams throughout Meta are constantly reorganizing or making changes to ensure they are in the best position to achieve their goals,” a Meta spokesperson told SiliconRepublic.com. “Where possible, we find other opportunities for employees whose positions may be impacted.”
Meanwhile, as the company lays off hundreds, a stock option for its key leaders announced on March 24 could see some of them increase their compensation by more than $900m over the next five years.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Meta plans to cut 20pc or more of the company’s global workforce. Meta called this a “speculative report on theoretical approaches.” It is understood that the recent organizational changes are unrelated to the Reuters story.
Reports in January 2026 suggested Meta could cut 10pc of its Reality Labs division, which employs around 15,000. In December, it was predicted that the company would reduce the budget and reduce staff in its ‘metaverse’ divisions.
The layoffs highlight a radical change in the way Big Tech companies approach work and productivity. In January, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, said that 2026 could be the year “AI starts to fundamentally change the way we work.
“We are starting to see projects that used to require large teams being completed by one talented individual,” he said.
Meta is not alone in this – Atlassian, Amazon and Block have all put up thousands in recent months as small teams and AI tools take the industry by storm. Oracle may also cut thousands of jobs to invest in its efforts to expand its AI data center.
The parent of Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook lost two landmark lawsuits this past week, with critics hailing it as Big Tech’s ‘Big Tobacco moment’.
Earlier this week, a New Mexico judge found that Meta endangered children by misleading users about the safety of its platforms, and yesterday, a Los Angeles judge found that Instagram and YouTube designed their platforms to exploit young, addicted users.
However, the $1.5trn company faces penalties of less than $380m in both cases combined.
Don’t miss out on the information you need to succeed. Sign up for Daily BriefSilicon Republic’s digest of must-know sci-tech news.
