Overview

• Verizon has terminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including diversity-based hiring goals, supplier-diversity practices, and related corporate sponsorships.
• The decision follows an FCC investigation initiated in February by Chair Brendan Carr, who linked DEI policies to regulatory approval of Verizon's $9.6 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications.
• FCC Chair Carr publicly stated that companies seeking FCC approval for mergers must eliminate practices he associates with 'invidious forms of discrimination.'
• Verizon Chief Legal Officer Vandana Venkatesh confirmed the immediate removal of DEI references in training, HR practices, and public messaging to comply with regulatory demands.
• This move reflects a broader trend of corporations rolling back diversity initiatives under conservative political and regulatory pressures.