Meta is facing serious allegations that it hid internal research showing that its platforms could harm users’ mental health.
According to the complaint, the company shut down an internal study known as Project Mercury, which found that users who stopped using Facebook and Instagram for one week experienced lower levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison.
Meta denies the accusations, claiming the project was discontinued because of methodological flaws, not because of its results.
A formal hearing on the case is scheduled for January 2026 in the United States.
The report comes from Neowin.
Key highlights:
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Project Mercury suggested negative mental-health effects from Facebook and Instagram
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Study participants improved after a one-week break
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Meta disputes the findings and cites flawed methodology
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Court hearing set for January 2026
