Hootsuite

Hootsuite, the Vancouver-based social media management company, confirmed it is restructuring and reducing its global workforce by roughly 20%, representing "hundreds of employees." The company declined to provide an exact headcount but said it is offering support to departing and remaining staff and described the decision as difficult. The announcement came days after Hootsuite was recognized as a finalist in the BC Technology Impact Awards, highlighting a contrast between recent local recognition and the current cuts. Hootsuite framed the move as an organizational restructure and emphasized appreciation for affected employees and a commitment to manage the transition with care.

The article reports that in 2020 Hootsuite terminated a planned three-year contract with ICE after employee and user outcry, and notes that two Hootsuite employees were laid off after speaking out about the proposed deal. Hootsuite declined to comment on the nature of those layoffs to protect employee privacy. The piece primarily details a separate 2024 DHS contract that could pay Hootsuite up to $2.8 million by 2029 and contextualizes concerns about Hootsuite providing social media monitoring to US immigration enforcement agencies. The layoffs referenced are historical (2020) and limited to two employees who were let go following their public opposition to the ICE contract.