2 Senators want to hold big tech accountable for harms caused by algorithms

By Steve Inskeep,

H.J. Mai, Mansee Khurana

Published November 20, 2025 at 4:51 AM EST

(From left) Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., discuss their joint effort to hold big tech accountable for harms caused by social media algorithms with NPR's Steve Inskeep on Nov. 18.

Social media companies and their respective algorithms have repeatedly been accused of fueling political polarization by promoting divisive content on their platforms. Now, two U.S. Senators have introduced legislation aimed at holding tech companies accountable for those business practices.

Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., joined Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep to talk about the impact of social media algorithms on U.S. politics and beyond and their plan to address it. Listen to the interview by clicking play on the blue box above.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

Donate