Apple board opposes proposal to ban DEI software

Apple’s board of directors has opposed the decision to end the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

In proxy forwardingthe company said the National Center for Public Policy Research (a think tank) is recommending that Apple “consider ending its Inclusion & Diversity program, policies, departments and goals.”

Think tanks say DEI programs could make companies more vulnerable to lawsuits, to name a few a recent decision of the Supreme Court against racial profiling in colleges and noted that some companies have eliminated or reduced similar programs. (Recently, Meta terminated its DEI programsand Amazon he says he’s going back.)

Apple, however, said the proposal was “unnecessary” because the company “already has a robust compliance program” that would make this a legal issue. The filing also criticizes the proposal because it “unnecessarily requires limited oversight of the Company’s programs and policies.”

The company also said it strives to “create a culture where everyone can do their best work.”