Amazon just joined Meta, Walmart and a host of other firms in trimming back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives amid activist pressure to end the programs.

The end of the company's DEI efforts means that it will no longer use a "diverse slate approach," which it began implementing in 2015. According to a 2017 blog post on Meta's website about the strategy, it "sets the expectation that hiring managers will consider candidates from underrepresented backgrounds when interviewing for an open position."

Amazon is halting some of its diversity and inclusion programs, a move that coincides with activist pressure on U.S. companies to abandon efforts to build a more diverse workforce.

The company is in the process of "winding down outdated programs and materials" as part of a broader review of hundreds of initiatives.

"We are focusing on programs with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture," a company vice president wrote in memo to employees Friday.