Apple laying off dozens amid cuts to services division

Apple is laying off dozens of employees as part of rare cutbacks at the tech giant that will primarily impact employees in its services division, according to multiple reports.

The California-based phone and technology behemoth has started to notify employees in its Books and News sectors of the job cuts, The Verge reported, noting the decision will impact about 100 jobs.

One of the most profitable companies, Apple in recent years invested billions in its services division, which includes Apple TV, Apple Music and Apple News.

A representative for the company did not immediately return a request for comment.

Apple is one of several major tech companies that has pushed aggressively into the booming world of sports, entertainment and direct-to-consumer streaming services.

The company is at the same time facing intensifying scrutiny about its competitive practices, with the Department of Justice earlier this year filing a lawsuit against it over what the government alleges to be an illegal monopoly over the smartphone market.

The company has also announced layoffs this year in its retail teams.

It has been a difficult stretch for several of the nation’s leading tech and media companies, with a number of the largest players in the business slashing jobs amid dwindling advertising revenue and concerns about the broader economy.