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 3:51 AM CST

(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.

NPR News

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

H.J. Mai

Mansee Khurana

Mansee Khurana is a producer at Morning Edition and Up First podcast where she works on everything from directing the show to reporting stories for the air. She joined Morning Edition in 2022, after working on NPR's Network Bookings and Special Coverage team during the midterm elections. Previously, she was a producer on Life Kit and an intern and the Education Desk, and NPR's history podcast, Throughline.