Apple removed Parler from its app store for “failing to effectively police content” (1). It did the same for Gab, even though Gab appealed the suspension, pointing out that many other approved social networks contained identical content that Apple did not scrutinize (2). Apple has also enabled censorship in other countries, including China and Taiwan (3)(4). Apple received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (4). Apple has also banned Fortnite, Metadata+, Trapster, and many other apps (5). According to various reports, including from Apple itself, the company blocks millions of apps each year; some of these banned apps are available on other platforms, such as Google Play (6). Some of these banned apps have accused Apple of banning them for political or other reasons (7). After Elon Musk became CEO of Twitter, Apple allegedly threatened to pull Twitter from its App Store (8). However, Apple CEO Tim Cook has claimed that the company “never considered removing the platform” and attributed the issue to a “misunderstanding” (9).

Apple will not match employee donations or give volunteer grants to organizations that are “religious in nature” (1). The company also requires that recipients of Apple’s donations have LGBTQ nondiscrimination policies (2).

Apple does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination (1). The company fought against a shareholder resolution to ensure protections for employees and clients against viewpoint discrimination (2). Apple fired an employee who objected to its censorship, spurring an ongoing lawsuit over political discrimination (3)(4).

Apple has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). Apple used iTunes to solicit donations for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) (3). Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a Washington Post op-ed referring to religious freedom legislation as “pro-discrimination” (4). Apple also advocates for the Equality Act and transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports (5)(6). Apple voiced opposition to various state legislatures’ efforts to secure their voting systems as well as the 2015 NC “Bathroom Bill” that required people to use the restroom corresponding to their biological sex (7)(8). Apple opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (9). The company is a Ceres Network Member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (10)(11). Apple has implemented ESG requirements into its business practices, including mandatory unconscious bias training and a 2030 carbon neutrality pledge (12). Apple CEO Tim Cook is a member of the Business Roundtable and signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (13)(14).

Apple has given $1 million to the SPLC and is a Platinum Sponsor of the HRC (1)(2). Overall, Apple has pledged $100 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (3)(4). Apple’s medical benefits cover abortion-related travel costs for employees (5). Apple is a Titanium sponsor of Out and Equal and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (6)(7). Apple has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (8)(9).

Apple does not operate a PAC at this time and has not lobbied for ideological purposes (1)(2).