Apple, the maker of the iPhone smartphone, has laid off more than 600 workers, according to a California state agency.
These are the first known layoffs at Apple since the start of the pandemic.
The California-based company has largely avoided the massive layoffs that hit Amazon, Meta, Google and other tech giants last year. The layoffs come after a hiring frenzy during the pandemic.
According to Bloomberg, Apple's decision to lay off some of its employees is related to the company's failed plans to produce an electric car. The iPhone maker had devoted nearly 2 workers to its secretive car development program, but it had to contend with an increasingly competitive electric car sector.
The extent of the layoffs could reportedly be higher, as Apple is legally required to report only those layoffs that are initiated in California.
Lina Linkevičiūtė (AFP)
