Apple Defies Conservative Push, Votes to Uphold Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Amid Industry Backlash

Apple may not be without its flaws, but in contrast to other major technology companies, it has made a commendable decision. Shareholders at the company opted to maintain its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives despite a campaign led by the conservative organization, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), to abolish them. According to a report from Reuters, the Center’s proposal, titled Request to Cease DEI Efforts, was overwhelmingly rejected, garnering only 210.45 million votes compared to approximately 8.84 billion in opposition—a mere 2.3 percent of the total.

Many of Apple’s DEI programs were either initiated or expanded following the global prominence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Nonetheless, criticisms and threats from former President Trump suggesting that DEI initiatives could breach legal statutes—coupled with the self-serving nature of corporate leadership—have prompted companies like Meta and Google to either scale back or completely eliminate their DEI efforts. Proponents of the proposal at Apple voiced concerns that the company could experience an increase in discrimination lawsuits if existing policies stayed in place.

During the recent shareholders meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized that «our strength has always derived from employing the very best talent while fostering a collaborative culture where individuals from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints come together to drive innovation.»

It is important to note that Apple does not boast exemplary DEI practices. Previously, its shareholders dismissed calls for enhanced transparency regarding the company’s racial and gender disparities. They also voted against a proposal that sought to require Apple to further assess the risks associated with its AI initiatives.

Furthermore, Cook appears to be seeking to placate Trump. Reports indicate that they met last week, and Apple has pledged to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Additionally, he contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and was in attendance with other prominent tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.