Pinterest Layoffs and AI-Forward Strategy

The company announced a round of job cuts affecting approximately 15% of its workforce, roughly 700 roles. CEO Bill Ready stated in an internal memo that Pinterest is “doubling down on an AI-forward approach.” However, the company did not specify which teams were impacted.

The Script That Crossed the Line

According to Pinterest, the two engineers wrote custom scripts that accessed confidential employee information to identify the names and locations of those being laid off. The scripts reportedly monitored internal communication tools, like Slack, alerting users when colleagues were deactivated or removed.

A spokesperson said this violated company policy and employee privacy, emphasizing that the script’s creation and distribution went beyond acceptable workplace conduct.

Broader Context: Tech Layoffs Continue

Pinterest’s layoffs coincided with similar reductions at Amazon, which cut 16,000 jobs, and Meta, which also downsized hundreds of employees. Over the past four years, approximately 700,000 tech workers have lost jobs globally, according to Layoffs.fyi. Monitoring Slack channels has become a common way for employees to detect layoffs informally, but it raises legal and ethical concerns.

Conclusion

Pinterest’s decision highlights the tension between employee curiosity and corporate confidentiality. While tech employees may feel compelled to understand layoffs, violating privacy policies can have serious consequences. Companies are balancing transparency with legal compliance in an increasingly volatile job market.