Tim Cook says Apple's DEI program may change in the future, but only if required by law

During a shareholders' meeting on Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook explained that the company might have to alter its DEI program policies as the US legal landscape shifts.

On February 25, Apple held its annual shareholder meeting for 2025. Though multiple issues and proposals were discussed, a DEI-related proposal from shareholders belonging to a conservative think-tank, the so-called "National Center for Public Policy Research," garnered the most attention.

They claimed that Apple's current DEI program might pose "litigation, reputational, and financial risks" to the company. Apple understandably fought back and urged shareholders to vote against the proposal.

Owners of Apple shares overwhelmingly voted to maintain the iPhone maker's current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program along with its associated policies and hiring practices.

Mere minutes after the decision was made, however, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the future of the iPhone maker's DEI programs. As was reported by The BBC, Cook said that Apple's DEI program could change in the future, should there be a need to comply with changes in laws and regulations.

"As the legal landscape around this issue evolves, we may need to make some changes to comply, but our north star of dignity and respect for everyone and our work to that end will never waver," said the CEO, adding that the company would continue to work on "a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work."

During the shareholders' meeting, Cook also pointed out that Apple's strength comes precisely from its diversity, and that there were no DEI-related hiring quotas. The CEO explained that the company's culture was one where "people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together," and said that the iPhone maker would remain "committed to the values that have always made us who we are."

Cook's most recent statements come as no surprise, given his previous comments on related issues. The NCPPR filed a separate proposition in 2014, when the right-wing group asked Apple to justify its environmental and accessibility practices, saying that they might negatively affect return on investment or ROI.

"When I think about making our products accessible for the people that can't see or to help a kid with autism," Cook responded, adding "I don't think about a bloody ROI."

Apple's stance on its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies has remained strong and consistent over the years. While some tech companies rushed to gain the favor of President Trump, Apple likely wouldn't follow suit unless compelled to do so.

Apple likely won't change its DEI policies unless forced

Though Cook outright said that Apple "may need to make some changes to comply," this doesn't mean that a policy change will arrive in the immediate future. If such changes were to happen, they would only be implemented to ensure compliance with law.

President Trump could theoretically force Apple and other companies into changing DEI programs.

The comments made by Apple's CEO could be seen as little more than a public statement, meant to appease those who want changes to the company's DEI program.

Many US companies, including the likes of Meta, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs, have all rolled back or outright ended their DEI programs, and they did so to gain the favor of the Trump administration. President Trump has called for the end of DEI programs in both the government and private sector, so it makes sense that some companies would opt for immediate changes.

Tim Cook, however, already has an established strategy for dealing with President Trump, and it appears as though he's been trying to appease his close ally Elon Musk, who is in charge of the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency." Though the two are obviously against DEI policies, there is currently no law that would force Apple to abandon its DEI program.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in SFFA V. Harvard that discriminating based on race in college admissions violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. There's a belief that the ruling could impact corporate DEI programs, though no companies have yet been legally compelled to make changes.

Apple's own shareholders overwhelmingly voted to maintain the current DEI program, indicating that there is no significant desire for change on that front. The company itself previously urged shareholders to vote against proposed DEI changes, meaning that the company leadership has no intention of removing or scaling back the existing Inclusion and Diversity program, either.

While Apple's DEI program could see changes in the future, particularly during the next four years under the Trump administration, there are no indications that this will happen anytime soon. At the time of writing, there are currently no laws which would require private companies to eliminate their DEI programs.