LDF Withdraws from Meta’s Civil Rights Advisory Committee Over DEIA Concerns

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) has officially severed ties with Meta’s external civil rights advisory board, citing serious concerns over the tech giant’s recent rollback of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies.

In a statement released on April 11, LDF announced its exit from the board, highlighting Meta’s January 2025 changes as a turning point. According to a report by The Guardian, civil rights advocates viewed the policy shift as Meta aligning itself with the political posture of the anticipated Trump administration—a move that sparked immediate backlash.

LDF, alongside several other civil rights organizations, initially expressed their concerns in a January letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The letter criticized the company for not consulting its own civil rights advisory board before making sweeping changes to its content moderation policies.

“We are shocked and disappointed that Meta did not consult with this group or its members… Meta’s failure to engage even its own advisory group of external civil rights experts shows a cynical disregard for its diverse user base,” the letter stated.

While the advisory group urged Meta to reaffirm its commitment to free speech for all users, no action was taken, prompting LDF to formally withdraw from the board in a follow-up letter penned by Todd A. Cox, the organization’s Associate Director-Counsel.

A Decade of Work Undone

In his letter, Cox condemned Meta’s content moderation changes as “irresponsible,” warning that they put Black communities and democratic institutions at risk.

“LDF has invested nearly a decade advising Meta on civil rights. Yet Meta made these policy changes without consultation—changes that directly contradict our guidance. We can no longer participate in good conscience,” Cox wrote.

He further criticized Meta’s failure to recognize how the rollback of DEIA programs could expose the company to legal liability under federal civil rights laws.

In a separate letter, LDF reminded Meta of its obligations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination, including policies that may have a disparate impact on certain groups.

“The Trump administration’s false claims that DEIA programs discriminate against white Americans do not change the legal standing of these efforts,” the letter read. “If Meta fails to meet its antidiscrimination obligations, it risks further legal action.”

In its press release, LDF accused Meta of fueling division through its recent actions and urged the company to reconsider.

“LDF worked hard and in good faith with Meta to create inclusive and safe digital spaces,” Cox stated. “Now, we cannot support a company taking steps that knowingly endanger our democracy and the safety of marginalized communities.”

With LDF’s withdrawal, Meta faces renewed scrutiny over its shifting stance on civil rights—and growing pressure from advocacy groups who warn that rolling back protections could deepen social divides both online and offline.