TECHNOLOGY– In a move signaling a significant policy shift, Meta, the social media giant owned by Mark Zuckerberg, has decided to terminate its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The decision follows the company's recent scrapping of its fact-checking initiative and will have far-reaching implications for hiring, training, and supplier selection. According to a leaked internal memo reported by Axios, the DEI department is being dissolved, effective immediately.
Meta’s vice president of human resources, Janelle Gale, addressed employees via the company’s internal communication tool, Workplace, on January 10, explaining the rationale behind this decision. In the memo, Gale stated, “The legal and policy landscape regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing.” She further elaborated that recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings reflect a shift in how DEI-related issues are interpreted and implemented.
Shifting Priorities Amid Changing Perceptions
Meta's statement also acknowledged that the term "DEI" has become increasingly controversial, with critics arguing that such initiatives may offer preferential treatment to certain groups at the expense of others. This perception, according to the memo, has contributed to debates about the necessity and fairness of DEI policies.
The decision to end DEI programs is not an isolated development but part of a broader trend among U.S. tech giants. Companies such as Walmart, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Zoom, and reportedly Amazon are also scaling back or ending their diversity and inclusion efforts. These moves coincide with a changing political landscape, including the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the growing influence of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Leadership Changes Reflect New Direction
In another notable change, Meta recently replaced its President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, with Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican. Critics argue that this leadership shift, combined with the termination of DEI initiatives, underscores Meta’s alignment with the emerging political climate.
Meta’s actions have not been without controversy. Critics fear that ending the DEI programs and terminating third-party fact-checking systems could lead to an increase in hate speech and misinformation across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Broader Implications and Legal Challenges
This policy shift has emerged amidst other legal challenges for Meta. On January 10, just one day before the internal memo was leaked, a group of authors accused CEO Mark Zuckerberg in an amended lawsuit of using pirated content to train Meta’s AI model, Llama. These accusations add another layer of complexity to the growing scrutiny surrounding Meta’s operational and ethical decisions.
As Meta continues to align its policies with the changing political and legal landscape in the U.S., it faces heightened criticism and challenges over its stance on issues like DEI and content regulation. The ongoing debate surrounding its decisions will likely shape the company's public perception and operational strategy in the years to come.
