The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Meta Platforms, Inc., has recently announced the termination of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, effective immediately. This decision closely follows its announcement to end fact-checking efforts. With the end of DEI programs, Meta joins other corporate giants like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Ford, which have also rolled back diversity measures in recent months.
In an internal memo first reported by Axios and Business Insider, Meta highlighted a changing legal and policy landscape in the United States as a key factor in this decision. In the memo, Janelle Gale, vice president of human resources at Meta, stated that the legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the United States is changing. She also acknowledged the polarized views surrounding DEI as a concept.
The company confirmed the move to a renowned publication but declined to provide additional comment on how the decision aligns with Meta’s long-term goals.
Impact on DEI Programs and Goals
The Diverse Slate Approach is among the programs that have been terminated. It was designed to promote diverse hiring practices and representation goals to improve racial and gender diversity within the company. This program was part of a broader effort to address the longstanding diversity challenges in Silicon Valley.
According to the most recent diversity report released by Meta, the company had made notable progress in increasing the representation of Black and Hispanic employees in the U.S. These milestones were accomplished two years ahead of its goal, raising the proportion of Black employees from 3.8% to 4.9% and Hispanic employees from 5.2% to 6.7%. However, under the new directive, Meta will no longer pursue such specific hiring practices.
Meta is also disbanding its equity and inclusion training programs, along with a dedicated team focused on DEI efforts. Supplier diversity initiatives, which encouraged sourcing from diverse-owned businesses, will also end. “Opportunities will continue to be available to all qualified suppliers, including those who were part of the supplier diversity program,” the memo stated. Moving forward, Meta plans to focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses instead.
Corporate Strategy and Broader Implications
The move is part of a larger trend among major corporations to roll back DEI efforts in response to legal challenges and political pressures. Some companies, like Meta, have cited changing laws and recent Supreme Court decisions as influencing factors. Others have faced targeted campaigns from far-right groups, which have branded DEI initiatives as divisive.
Critics have argued that such decisions signal a retreat from corporate accountability and representation. Notably, Meta’s decision contrasts sharply with its own technology’s observations about the need for greater diversity. Liv, a Black AI profile on Meta’s platforms, commented in a conversation with a journalist, “A team without Black creators designing a Black character like me is trying to draw a map without walking the land—inaccurate and disrespectful.”
Though AI profiles can generate inaccurate statements, Liv’s remarks highlighted ongoing concerns about representation within Meta’s leadership and development teams. The company’s four-member AI advisory board is composed entirely of white men.
A Shift in Leadership
The decision comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other Silicon Valley leaders increasingly align with former President Donald Trump. Earlier this week, Meta pledged $1 million to Trump’s January 20 inauguration, a move seen by some as an effort to foster closer ties with the incoming administration. Additionally, UFC President Dana White, a known Trump ally, recently joined Meta’s board.
This alignment with conservative leadership mirrors similar corporate strategies to navigate a shifting political environment. By curtailing DEI initiatives, Meta joins companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Lowe’s in reshaping their internal policies to adapt to external pressures.
The Way Ahead
Meta’s decision to terminate its DEI programs marks a significant departure from its previous commitments to embrace diversity and inclusion. As the legal and political landscape evolves, Meta’s actions may set a precedent for other corporations struggling under similar pressures. For advocates of diversity, the move sheds light on the challenges ahead in maintaining progress amid changing political and administrative scenarios.
