Pinterest sacks engineers after internal tool exposed laid-off staff during AI-driven cuts

"Pinterest has dismissed two engineers after they created and shared a software tool that identified colleagues who had been made redundant during a recent round of job cuts, according to reports. The digital pinboard company announced earlier this month that it would cut about 15 per cent of its workforce, roughly 700 roles, as chief executive Bill Ready said the business was "doubling down on an AI-forward approach". Pinterest did not disclose which teams would be affected by the reductions."

"Following the announcement, two engineers wrote custom scripts that accessed internal systems to flag when employee accounts were deactivated, effectively revealing the names and locations of staff who had lost their jobs. The information was then shared more widely, prompting the company to take disciplinary action. A Pinterest spokesperson said the engineers had "improperly accessed confidential company information" and described the actions as a clear breach of company policy and a violation of affected employees' privacy. It remains unclear whether the data was shared solely with colleagues inside the business or beyond the company."

"Pinterest has been ramping up investment in artificial intelligence to improve personalisation for users and automate tools for advertisers. However, investor confidence has been shaken, with shares down more than 20 per cent this year as markets weigh the competitive threat posed by newer and more advanced AI platforms. Ready told staff in an internal meeting that while debate and dissent were healthy, employees who fundamentally disagreed with the company's direction should consider their future elsewhere, according to CNBC, which first reported the firings."

Pinterest cut about 15% of its workforce, roughly 700 roles, as chief executive Bill Ready pursued an AI-forward approach. Two engineers created scripts that accessed internal systems to flag deactivated employee accounts, revealing the names and locations of staff who had been laid off. The scripts targeted internal communication and access tools and reportedly triggered alerts when employee names were removed from systems. The exposed information was shared more widely, prompting Pinterest to dismiss the engineers for improperly accessing confidential company information and violating employee privacy. It remains unclear how far the data was circulated. Investor confidence and shares have been pressured amid AI competition.

Read at Business Matters