Pinterest sacks two engineers for creating software to identify fired workers

Company Actions - Pinterest has fired two engineers for creating a software tool that identified employees who were laid off during recent job cuts and shared this information improperly [1][3] - The company announced it would cut about 15% of its workforce, equating to approximately 700 employees, although specific teams affected were not disclosed [2] Internal Policies and Violations - A spokesperson for Pinterest stated that the engineers violated company policy and the privacy of their former colleagues by accessing confidential information [3] - The custom scripts created by the engineers were designed to alert on the names of employees being removed or deactivated [4] Strategic Direction - Pinterest is focusing on an AI-forward approach, with significant investments in AI to enhance personalized content and automated tools for marketers [5] - The CEO indicated that the company is at a "critical moment" and encouraged employees who disagree with the company's direction to consider seeking employment elsewhere [6] Industry Context - The job cuts at Pinterest are part of a broader trend in the technology sector, where companies are increasingly relying on AI, with other firms like Amazon and Meta also announcing significant layoffs [6][7]