YouTube CEO steps down after 9 years

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has decided to step down from the role after nine years, adding that Neal Mohan, YouTube’s chief product officer will replace her, according to an email sent to YouTube’s employees on Thursday.

Wojcicki explained in her email that she “decided to start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects I’m passionate about,” confirming that she will “take on an advisory role across Google and Alphabet” in the future.

She continued that this will allow her to offer guidance while she will remain in the short term at YouTube to “support Neal and help with the transition.”

Wojcicki was among the first 20 employees at Google, hired in 2015, as well as being the company’s first landlord. She rented her garage to the founders of the giant tech firm, Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1998.

Wojcicki’s stepping down follows a series of similar departures in the sector, including Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon.

The platform has faced public criticism over issues of spreading misinformation and concerns over child privacy. Furthermore, the YouTube’s advertising revenue declined for the second quarter in row over its competition with other streaming or short-form video services.