Meta disbands diversity team and says DEI has become ‘charged’

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Meta disbands diversity team and says DEI has become ‘charged’ / The move follows Meta’s recent content moderation overhaul that removes restrictions on topics like immigration and gender.

By Emma Roth, a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

Jan 10, 2025, 6:37 PM UTC

Share this storyIllustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta is eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs because of the “legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts” in the US, according to a memo to employees seen by Axios. Meta will also roll back representation goals and end its “diverse slate approach” to hiring.

The memo, which was written by Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice president of human resources, said the company would replace DEI programs with ones “that focus on how to apply fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all, no matter your background,” as reported by Axios. The company will also “end efforts to source business suppliers from diverse-owned businesses.”

“The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made decisions signaling a shift in how courts will approach DEI,” Gale wrote. “The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”

Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton confirmed to The Verge that Axios’ reporting is accurate.

Meta also overhauled its Hateful Conduct Policy, making changes that now “allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation,” among other horrible things, and announced plans to move its moderation teams from California to Texas due to concerns about “bias.”

Update, January 10th: Added confirmation from Meta.