Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggested in a 2021 email that the company should conduct less research into the harm caused by its platforms, citing Apple as an example of a company that does not study such issues.

The email was sent after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Meta had conducted in-depth research on the toxic effects of Instagram on teen girls, despite being aware of the issue.

Newly unsealed emails reveal that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggested the company should conduct less research into the harm caused by its platforms, citing Apple as an example to follow. The emails, which were sent in 2021, were uncovered by The Verge and shed light on Meta‘s approach to safety research.

The emails were sent in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which found that Meta was aware that Instagram was “toxic for teen girls” and had conducted in-depth research on the topic. Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion to reduce safety research is notable, given the company’s significant resources and previous investments in understanding the impact of its platforms on users.

The revelation is likely to have significant implications for Meta and its approach to user safety. As the company continues to face scrutiny over its handling of user well-being, the decision to reduce safety research could have far-reaching consequences. With Meta facing ongoing pressure to prioritize user safety, it remains to be seen how the company will balance its responsibilities with Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion to follow Apple‘s approach to safety research.