Apple

Dropped the phrase "diversity, equity and inclusion" from its annual report. The wording appears in the 10-K filed 2024-11-01 and is absent from the 10-K filed 2025-10-31. The later filing uses "inclusive culture" instead.

Shareholders voted 97% to reject anti-DEI proposal. Tim Cook reaffirmed commitment to "culture of belonging" while acknowledging potential future changes to comply with evolving laws.

Apple's board opposed a shareholder proposal to eliminate DEI programs. At the February 2025 annual meeting, shareholders voted down the anti-DEI proposal. Tim Cook stated Apple's strength comes from diverse perspectives.

Tim Cook met with Trump multiple times to negotiate tariff exemptions for iPhones. Apple received exemptions while committing to $500B+ US investment over four years.

CEO Tim Cook donated $1M to Trump 2025 inaugural committee. Company pledged $100B toward U.S. manufacturing, securing tariff exemption on semiconductors.

Settled a class action lawsuit for $95 million in January 2025 over claims that Siri secretly recorded private conversations — even without activation — and shared them with third-party advertisers for over a decade (2014–2024). Users received up to $20 per qualifying device. Court granted final approval; payments distributed January 2026.

EU's top court ruled in September 2024 that Apple owed Ireland €13 billion in back taxes, confirming Apple's "Double Irish" structure let its Irish subsidiaries pay as little as 0.005% tax on profits routed through entities with no tax residency anywhere. Apple paid the €13B+ into escrow in 2018 during appeals; Ireland withdrew the funds from escrow in July 2025. The case is the largest corporate tax recovery in EU history.

Laid off 700+ workers in April 2024 after canceling Apple Car project. Cut 100 from Apple News/Books in August 2024. Dozens more from sales division in late 2025.

DOJ sued in March 2024 over smartphone monopoly. Epic Games won partial victory on App Store (9th Circuit 2023). EU DMA forced sideloading. 30% App Store fee called "Apple tax." Faces global regulatory pressure on walled garden.

Apple maintains strong DEI programs. Tim Cook vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Diverse leadership team.

Apple avoids government contracts compared to peers. Privacy focus conflicts with government surveillance.

Apple Tim Cook maintained relationships across aisle. Privacy fights with government. China manufacturing ties.

Apple avoids government compared to peers. Privacy stance conflicts with surveillance.

Apple AI more cautious. Privacy-first approach. On-device processing. Slower rollout.

Apple retail workers unionizing. Some stores won. Company fought organization but less aggressively than Amazon.

Apple retail unions won at some stores. Company fought but less aggressively than Amazon. Mixed approach.

Apple retail union wins. Less aggressive than Amazon. But still resisted organization initially.

Apple retail unions won some stores. Company resisted but less aggressively than Amazon.