BitTorrent Lays Off Half of Its Staff

SAN FRANCISCO — The company behind file-sharing system BitTorrent has laid off 18 employees — about half of its staff — and may drop plans to challenge iTunes with its own network.

In August, the company let go 20 percent of its workforce in August and the layoffs are “showing signs of serious trouble while [BitTorrent] tries to commercialize its technology,” according to a New York Times report.

As an open-source technology protocol, BitTorrent represents about half the world’s Internet traffic.

The future of BitTorrent Entertainment Network, once heralded as a challenger to iTunes, is uncertain. The company’s 20 employees will work on BitTorrent DNA, a content delivery network that helps media and video game companies distribute their products cheaply over the Internet.

On Friday, BitTorrent announced that it was promoting Eric Klinker, who served as chief technology officer, to CEO. The company's co-founder, Ashwin Navin, has announced he's leaving the company.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

CORRECTION: Pornhub to Remain Live in Ohio, Despite AV Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo will not block access to its websites in Ohio, despite new state age verification rules that came into effect Sept. 30.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'ADHD-Friendly' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers with ADHD.

Judge Dismisses Some Claims in 'Children of Pornhub' Trafficking Suit

A United States district judge on Friday dismissed some but not all claims against Aylo in a long-running case involving CSAM allegations featured in the influential 2020 New York Times article “The Children of Pornhub.”

Pornhub Shuts Down Access in Ohio Over Age Verification

Aylo began geoblocking Pornhub across the state of Ohio on Tuesday, as the state’s age verification law goes into effect.

FSC Sets Key Dates, Qualifiers for December Board of Directors Election

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) today announced key dates and qualifiers for its upcoming Board of Directors election.

RedGIFs Launches New 'Studio' Creator Platform

RedGIFs has launched its new Studio creator platform.

Arcom to Expand AV Enforcement to Smaller Adult Sites

The president of French media regulator Arcom revealed on Thursday that the agency plans to escalate its enforcement of age verification rules to include smaller adult sites, starting in late 2025 or early 2026.

AEBN Publishes Report on MILF, Cougar Trends

AEBN has published a report on MILF and Cougar categories from its straight theaters.

Pornhub to Shut Down Access in Arizona Over Age Verification

Aylo will geoblock Pornhub across Arizona starting Sept. 26, when the state’s age verification law, HB 2112, goes into effect.

Flirtback Embraces Crypto With Zcash Payments

Creator platform Flirtback has launched its Zcash (ZEC) crypto payment solution.

Show More