The decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prohibit robocalls containing voices produced by artificial intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a significant milestone. This ruling, which has received the endorsement of the US government, is a firm declaration that the use of AI technology to deceive individuals and manipulate voters will not be tolerated.
In accordance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC has unanimously agreed to take action against AI voice-cloning tools used in robocalls. This law, implemented in 1991, was designed to restrict unsolicited calls featuring artificial or prerecorded voice messages. The recent ruling empowers the FCC to impose fines on companies using AI-generated voices and to block service providers that facilitate these calls. Additionally, call recipients now have the right to file lawsuits, and state attorneys general have been presented with a new approach to combat offenders.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has emphasized that malicious actors have been exploiting AI-generated voices in robocalls to spread misinformation, impersonate public figures, and extort family members. She has stressed the urgency of this issue, stating, “It seems like something from the far-off future, but this threat is already here. All of us could be on the receiving end of these faked calls, so that’s why we felt the time to act was now.”
Telemarketers are generally prohibited from using automated dialers or artificial/pre-recorded voice messages to call cellphones without prior written consent from the recipient, as per the consumer protection law. The recent ruling classifies AI-generated voices in robocalls as “artificial,” making them subject to the same regulations.
The penalties for violating this law are severe, with fines potentially exceeding £23,000 per call. In the past, the FCC has utilized the consumer law to penalize robocallers who interfered in elections, including imposing a £5 million fine on two perpetrators for disseminating false warnings to predominantly Black areas about the perils of voting by mail.
The decision to crack down on AI-generated robocalls was driven by a surge in these types of calls. The FCC sought public feedback on the issue and received strong support from a bipartisan group of 26 state attorneys general, urging them to proceed with the ruling.
The use of sophisticated generative AI tools, such as voice-cloning software and image generators, in political campaigns has been a growing concern. Notably, AI-generated robocalls seeking to influence New Hampshire’s primary election were traced back to the Texas-based company Life Corp and its owner, Walter Monk. Investigations have led to cease-and-desist orders and subpoenas being issued, with attorneys general cautioning the company to immediately halt the origination of illegal calls.
Both Lingo Telecom and Life Corp have faced scrutiny in the past for illegal robocalls. Lingo Telecom, which transmitted the AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden, has been accused of facilitating illegal calls from overseas. While Lingo Telecom claims to have acted promptly to assist with the investigation and suspend Life Corp, the companies continue to face intense scrutiny from authorities.
The FCC’s decisive action to outlaw AI-generated voices in robocalls marks a significant step towards curbing the misuse of technology to deceive and manipulate individuals. With robust enforcement and continued vigilance, it is hoped that these measures will effectively deter bad actors from exploiting AI to engage in illicit activities.
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