RoboCalls – Banned In America

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RoboCalls – Banned In America

 

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned AI-generated robocalls amid a rise in voice cloning scams that have affected thousands of citizens. Artificial intelligence can now create convincing fake audio and video, making it easy to scam people. The FCC aims to stop fraudsters using AI voice cloning in illegal robocalls to extort money or spread misinformation.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday outlawed unwanted robocalls generated by artificial intelligence, amid growing concerns over election disinformation and consumer fraud facilitated by the technology.

The unanimous decision by the F.C.C. cited a three-decade-old law aimed at curbing junk phone calls, clarifying that A.I.-generated spam calls are also illegal. By doing so, the agency said it expanded the ability of states to prosecute creators of unsolicited spam robocalls.

“It seems like something from the far-off future, but it is already here,” the F.C.C. chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, said in a statement. “Bad actors are using A.I.-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities and misinform voters.”

Concerns about the use of A.I. to replicate the voices of and images of politicians and celebrities has grown in recent months as the technology to recreate personas has taken off — particularly ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

In a unanimous decision released Thursday, the FCC said AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls are prohibited under the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which restricts marketing calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

Callers who use AI technology must get prior consent from the people they are calling, the FCC said.

The move comes as the agency investigates a Texas-based company for using AI-generated robocalls in New Hampshire last month mimicking President Biden’s voice. The calls discouraged people from voting in the state’s first-in-the-nation primary, officials said. The FCC said Thursday its enforcement bureau has issued a cease-and-desist letter to the company.

“Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We’re putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.”

The FCC said rules that apply to robocalls under the 1991 telemarketing law, such as giving people a way to opt out, also apply to AI-generated robocalls.

The FCC can now fine companies that use AI voices in unwanted calls and block service providers that carry them, the agency said. The regulation, which is effective immediately, also empowers state attorneys general to go after violators, the agency said.

The FCC can assess fines of up to $23,000 per call on those who break the law. People targeted by unwanted robocalls also have the right to legal action, and can potentially recover up to $1,500 in damages for each unsolicited outreach.

Americans received nearly 4.3 billion robocalls in January, according to data compiled by YouMail, a company that makes spam-blocking technology.

Threats Posed by AI Voice Cloning

AI voice cloning technology can mimic voices accurately, tricking listeners into believing they are hearing a real person. Scammers have used cloned voices of celebrities and family members to manipulate vulnerable people into sending money or sharing sensitive information. The FCC warns that voice cloning in robocalls can convince people to take actions they normally wouldn’t.

Recent Incidents Sparking Concern

A turning point was a fake robocall imitating President Biden to discourage voting for him in a primary election. This demonstrated the threat AI voice cloning poses to the integrity of elections through voter suppression schemes. The FCC has sent a cease-and-desist letter about this incident and started a criminal investigation.

FCC Rules to Curb Abuse

The FCC ruling bans companies from using AI-generated voices in robocalls effective immediately. Violators face fines and blocked service. This allows the FCC to crack down on those exploiting AI to spread misinformation, commit fraud through voice cloning and interfere in elections.

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur