A proposal to create an Apple human rights committee was defeated in voting during Tuesday's shareholders meeting, AppleInsider can confirm.
During preliminary proxy voting, the measure had just 5.6 percent support, noted CNET's Shara Tibken. At the meeting itself a supporting shareholder suggested that a committee could look into the issue of youth smartphone addiction, including tools and education to stem any problems.
Apple opposed creating the group, claiming that its audit committee accomplishes the same goal -- though the backing shareholder said the new committee would go beyond the company's present efforts.
Apple is frequently a supporter of human rights causes, particularly when it comes to racial and LGBT issues in the U.S. It has sometimes been accused of being slow or turning a blind eye, though, when it comes to privacy and labor rights in China, or simply doing any business in countries with repressive regimes. In some cases the company has even avoided marking World AIDS Day in countries with anti-LGBT laws.
Also defeated during the shareholders meeting was Proposal 5, calling for amendments to the shareholder proxy process. All three measures backed by Apple itself -- including ones approving executive compensation, and appointing Ernst & Young as accountants -- passed.