During Apple’s annual shareholder meeting on February 25, the company rejected four resolutions proposed by conservative groups working in collaboration with the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal firm. These proposals primarily aimed at holding Apple accountable for its actions regarding online child sexual abuse and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Jay Hobbs, the Director of Communications and Coalitions at ADF, provided details in a press conference, stating that the resolutions were a part of an effort to scrutinize the company’s policies and practices.

One of the resolutions called for a report on Apple’s decision to remove a software feature on iOS that was designed to identify child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Other resolutions addressed the company’s controversial DEI policies, urging Apple to eliminate what they deemed “divisive, discriminatory, and legally risky” DEI initiatives. There were also calls for transparency in Apple’s AI data collection practices, as well as a demand for more openness regarding the company’s relationships with activist groups that could influence its policies, such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Despite these proposals, Apple rejected all of them, according to BBC News.

However, Jerry Bowyer, president of Bowyer Research, indicated that there was some indication of potential change in Apple’s policies, particularly in regard to its stance on child sexual abuse material. He suggested that while the company resisted the resolutions, there was still room for future changes.

In its official response, Apple defended its commitment to child protection, arguing that the anti-CSAM resolution would lead to “universal surveillance.” The company pointed to its existing technologies, such as Communication Safety, as evidence of its efforts to protect children online. Despite these claims, critics like the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE) have accused Apple of contributing to sexual exploitation by abandoning efforts to detect CSAM on iCloud and by allowing inappropriate apps with misleading age ratings.

Furthermore, the company faced backlash over its DEI policies, which some critics argue promote racial and gender preferences. Apple CEO Tim Cook defended these initiatives, stating that Apple does not enforce racial or gender quotas, though he acknowledged that the company may modify its practices as legal frameworks evolve. Apple’s ongoing efforts in DEI include initiatives like the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, and the company continues to prioritize diversity and representation within its workforce.

Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel at ADF, emphasized that the rejection of the proposals at the meeting did not mark the end of efforts to push for change at Apple. He noted that setting the agenda and fostering continued dialogue were crucial steps in the long-term process of corporate reform. Tedesco expressed confidence that the movement for reform was just beginning and that the conversation would persist until the desired changes are achieved.