Citation needed. I've been directly involved in hiring/interviewing under these circumstances and the idea of lowering technical standards just to meet a quota

Citation needed. I've been directly involved in hiring/interviewing under these circumstances and the idea of lowering technical standards just to meet a quota was never entertained. We simply recruited through diverse avenues. Mostly the diversity statement itself was sufficient to let potential candidates know they could apply without fear of rejection for not being "like us". I've never actually seen evidence of active discrimination against a more qualified white candidate. Maybe it happens but it certainly isn't a result of diversity policies.