Apple shareholders have voted to maintain the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, rejecting a proposal to dismantle them.

The motion, introduced by the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research, argued that DEI initiatives could expose Apple to legal risks and discrimination claims. However, the proposal was decisively voted down, reinforcing the tech company’s commitment to inclusivity.

The vote comes amid a broader backlash against corporate DEI efforts, with firms such as Meta and Alphabet scaling back their programmes following Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency. He has criticised DEI policies, suggesting they could face legal scrutiny from the US Department of Justice.

CEO Tim Cook reaffirmed Apple’s dedication to fostering a diverse workforce, stating that while legal changes may require adjustments, the company’s core values will remain unchanged. Apple shareholders have previously resisted calls for greater transparency on racial and gender pay disparities.

In a separate development, Apple announced a $500-billion investment in the US over the next four years, earning praise from President Trump.

Shareholders also voted down a proposal to assess the risks associated with Apple’s artificial intelligence projects while approving all management-backed initiatives.

Image Credit: Source