Verizon’s letter said that because of the “changing landscape,” the firm “has been evaluating its DEI-related programs, HR processes, supplier programs, training programs and materials, and other initiatives.” Among other changes, Verizon said it “will no longer have a team or any individual roles focused on DEI” and will reassign DEI-focused employees to “HR talent objectives.”
“Verizon recognizes that some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination,” the letter said.
T-Mobile sent a similar letter to Carr on March 27, saying it “is fully committed to identifying and rooting out any policies and practices that enable such discrimination, whether in fulfillment of DEI or any other purpose,” and is thus “conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies, programs, and activities.” One day later, the FCC approved a T-Mobile joint venture to acquire fiber provider Lumos.
With the Verizon and T-Mobile deals approved, Carr has another opportunity to make demands on a major telecom company. On Friday, Charter announced a $34.5 billion merger with Cox that would make it the largest home Internet provider in the US, passing Comcast. Several Charter and Cox programs could be on the chopping block because of Carr’s animosity toward diversity initiatives.
Verizon criticized as “cowardly”
Media advocacy group Free Press criticized Verizon for agreeing to Carr’s demands.
“Verizon’s cowardly decision to modify or kill its diversity, equity and inclusion practices is the latest shameful episode in a litany of surrenders to appease our authoritarian president,” Free Press Vice President of Policy Matt Wood said. “The government alleges no specific instances of unlawful employment discrimination, and Verizon admits none. Yet to win a merger approval and the prospect of a few extra dollars, the company meekly suggests that some of its ‘DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination’—lawyer-speak for we’ve done nothing wrong, but we can see which way the political winds are blowing.”
Wood said that Carr “once defended his agency’s independence from the White House when a Democrat was in charge” but is “now gleefully carrying out the president’s orders to roll back civil-rights protections and equal-opportunity gains at all costs.”
