Meta layoffs hit staff at WhatsApp, Instagram, and Reality Labs divisions
The 'year of efficiency' for Mark Zuckerberg continues as Meta layoffs affect staff in key business units


Meta is reportedly laying off workers across several divisions as part of a continued cost-cutting drive.
First reported by The Verge, roles at WhatsApp, Instagram, and the Reality Labs units are among those in the firing line. The move from Meta appears to coincide with an ongoing reorganization scheme within specific teams.
Some workers have taken to social media in the wake of the move to confirm their roles have been cut. Jane Manchun Wong, who became known for revealing unannounced features coming to apps before joining the Threads team in 2023, is among those affected.
"I’m still trying to process this but I’m informed that my role at Meta has been impacted," she wrote on Threads. "Thank you to everyone, especially my Threads and Instagram teammates, for my wild journey at Meta."
"Today, a few teams at Meta are making changes to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals and location strategy," a company spokesperson told ITPro.
"This includes moving some teams to different locations, and moving some employees to different roles. In situations like this when a role is eliminated, we work hard to find other opportunities for impacted employees."
This isn't the first time in recent years that Meta's made layoffs. In 2022, it shed 11,000 employees, around 13% of its total workforce, after being overoptimistic about its prospects following the Covid pandemic.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
2023, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously described as the ‘year of efficiency’, saw the tech giant lay off another 10,000 workers and cancel 5,000 job vacancies in a bid to reduce headcount and cut costs.
The latest move marks the second batch of layoffs at the Reality Labs division in a matter of months. In the summer, Meta confirmed plans to restructure the hardware unit into two groups, resulting in a small number of job losses.
Meta cuts the latest in another troubling year for big tech
Meta isn’t alone in its cost-cutting efforts in recent years. A host of other major players in the global technology industry have followed suit, largely due to challenging macroeconomic conditions in the wake of the pandemic.
In August, for example, Cisco announced plans to cut thousands of roles - around 7% of its staff - on top of the 4,000 it cut earlier in the year.
At around the same time, Intel announced plans to cut its workforce by 15%, or 15,000 roles, blaming poor returns on AI and saving a reported $10 billion. Dell also cut 12,500 staff, or around 10% of its workforce, on top of a further 20,000 roles shed over the previous 15 months.
RELATED WEBINAR
Other major tech firms making large rounds of layoffs since the beginning of the year include Microsoft, eBay and PayPal.
However, according to data from Layoffs.fyi, the number of job losses across the tech industry is lower than at the start of 2023, with a total of 263,000 jobs cut across the tech sector last year.
ITPro has approached Meta for comment.

Ross Kelly is ITPro's News & Analysis Editor, responsible for leading the brand's news output and in-depth reporting on the latest stories from across the business technology landscape. Ross was previously a Staff Writer, during which time he developed a keen interest in cyber security, business leadership, and emerging technologies.
He graduated from Edinburgh Napier University in 2016 with a BA (Hons) in Journalism, and joined ITPro in 2022 after four years working in technology conference research.
For news pitches, you can contact Ross at ross.kelly@futurenet.com, or on Twitter and LinkedIn.
-
How to implement a four-day week in tech
In-depth More companies are switching to a four-day week as they look to balance employee well-being with productivity
-
Intelligence sharing: The boost for businesses
In-depth Intelligence sharing with peers is essential if critical sectors are to be protected
-
Intel to axe 24,000 roles, cancel factory plans in sweeping cost-cutting move
News Despite better than expected revenue in its Q2 results, the chip giant is targeting a leaner operation
-
Meta isn’t playing ball with the EU on the AI Act
News Europe is 'heading down the wrong path on AI', according to Meta, with the company accusing the EU of overreach
-
Intel makes high-level hires while factory workers are warned of layoffs
News The company is appointing four senior executives as part of efforts to refocus on engineering and customer relationships
-
Dell Technologies Global Partner Summit 2025 – all the news and updates live from Las Vegas
Keep up to date with all the news and announcements from the annual Dell Technologies Global Partner Summit in Las Vegas
-
Who is John Roese?
Dell's CTO and Chief AI Officer John Roese brings pragmatism to AI
-
Intel layoffs confirmed as CEO eyes 'sustainable growth'
Intel’s new CEO Lip-Bu Tan has confirmed the company will be cutting its headcount in response to sluggish revenue.
-
Apple, Meta hit back at EU after landmark DMA fines
News The European Commission has issued its first penalties under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), fining Apple €500 million and Meta €200m.
-
Dell names Lisa Ergun as new Client Solutions Group channel lead for the UK
News Dell Technologies has announced the appointment of Lisa Ergun as its new Client Solutions Group (CSG) channel lead for the UK.