Messaging app Rakuten Viber has laid off 45 employees, representing 8% of its global workforce of 550 people. This marks the first significant round of cutbacks since the company's founding 12 years ago. Announced in November 2022, the layoffs are part of a strategic refocus to invest more heavily in developing its fintech and utility products, following the launch of payment features earlier that year. The company, which operates in the consumer technology and messaging industry and boasts 250 million users, stated the decision was essential to adapt to changing market conditions and shift from being just a messaging app to a broader service platform. Approximately 20 of the affected employees were based in Israel.
