Meta has not detailed what alternative measures, if any, will replace its DEI team, nor has it disclosed how the shift will impact its broader diversity goals. Photo: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas/File photo

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has announced the disbanding of its dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) team, marking a significant shift in its approach to workplace diversity initiatives, as per a recent report by Reuters.

Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement, according to an internal memo shared with employees.

The move comes as US courts signal changes in how DEI programs are viewed legally. Meta's decision aligns with broader legal trends, including a recent US appeals court ruling that struck down Nasdaq's requirement for listed companies to increase board diversity or provide explanations for the absence of women and minority directors, says Reuters.

"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," stated an internal memo by Janelle Gale, Vice President of Human Resources at Meta, as per the Reuters report. The memo, according to Reuters, references the Supreme Court's recent decisions that have reshaped the legal landscape around diversity efforts.

Meta has not detailed what alternative measures, if any, will replace its DEI team, nor has it disclosed how the shift will impact its broader diversity goals. The company has faced both internal and external criticism over its diversity initiatives in the past, reflecting ongoing debates around the role of corporate America in addressing social equity, further adds the report.