The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a significant step towards protecting consumers from fraudulent activities by banning the use of artificial intelligence-generated voices in unwarranted robocalls across the United States.
This decision was made after an incident where residents of New Hampshire received fabricated voice messages imitating U.S. President Joe Biden, urging them not to participate in the state’s primary election.
FCC Extends TCPA Protections
The ban, which falls under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), is a crucial move in curbing the proliferation of robocall scams.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated, “Bad actors are exploiting AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, impersonate celebrities, and mislead voters. We are putting these fraudsters on notice.”
Robocall scams, which are already prohibited under the TCPA, use advanced AI technology to mimic voices and deceive unsuspecting recipients. This latest ruling extends the ban to cover “voice cloning technology,” effectively shutting down a key tool used by scammers in their fraudulent schemes.
We are proud to join in the effort to protect consumers from AI-generated robocalls by sending a cease-and-desist letter to the Texas-based company in question.
— The FCC (@FCC) February 7, 2024
The TCPA aims to safeguard consumers from intrusive communications and “junk calls” by imposing restrictions on telemarketing practices, including the use of artificial or pre-recorded voice messages.
In a statement, the FCC highlighted the potential for this technology to spread misinformation by impersonating authoritative figures. While law enforcement agencies have traditionally targeted the outcomes of fraudulent robocalls, this new ruling empowers them to prosecute offenders solely for using AI to fabricate voices in these communications.
Texas Firm Linked to Biden Robocall
In a related development, authorities have traced a recent high-profile robocall incident, where President Joe Biden’s voice was impersonated, back to a Texas-based firm called Life Corporation and an individual named Walter Monk.
Attorney General Mayes has sent a warning letter to the company, stating, “Using AI to impersonate the President and deceive voters is completely unacceptable.” She also emphasized that deceptive practices like this have no place in a democracy and will only further erode public trust in the electoral process.
I stand with 50 attorneys general in pushing back against a company that allegedly used AI to impersonate the President in scam robocalls ahead of the New Hampshire primary. Deceptive practices such as this have no place in our democracy. pic.twitter.com/ql4FQzutdl
— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) February 8, 2024
Attorney General John Formella has confirmed that a cease-and-desist letter has been issued to the company, and a criminal investigation is underway.
“We are committed to ensuring our elections are free and fair,” asserted Attorney General Formella during a press conference in Concord, New Hampshire. He condemned the robocall as an attempt to exploit AI technology to undermine the democratic process and promised to take strict legal action against those responsible.
The robocall, which was sent to thousands of Democratic voters on January 21, urged recipients not to vote in the primary election to save their votes for the November election.
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Say Goodbye to Scam Robocalls: US Takes Action Against AI-Generated Voices After Biden Impersonation Scams
We’ve all experienced the frustration of receiving annoying and unwanted robocalls. These automated calls often come from scammers trying to deceive and defraud innocent individuals. However, recent advancements in technology have made these robocalls even more insidious – they can now be generated using artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic human voices, making it even harder to identify them as fraudulent.
Thankfully, the US government is taking action against these scam robocalls. In particular, after a spate of scam calls impersonating President Biden, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently announced measures to crack down on AI-generated voice robocalls. Let’s delve into the details of this issue and learn how we can protect ourselves from these sneaky scams.
Understanding AI-Generated Voice Robocalls
First, let’s clarify what exactly AI-generated voice robocalls are. In simple terms, these are automated telephone calls that use AI technology to mimic human voices. They are often used by scammers to deceive unsuspecting individuals into giving out personal information or money.
Traditionally, robocalls were generated using prerecorded messages, making them somewhat easier to spot and avoid. However, with AI technology becoming more sophisticated, these recordings are now made to sound more human-like, making it harder for people to distinguish them from real human callers.
These AI-generated voices use speech synthesis and text-to-speech technology to mimic the speaking patterns, accents, and intonations of real human voices. This allows scammers to perpetrate their fraudulent schemes without ever revealing their true identities.
US Government Takes Action Against AI-Generated Voice Robocalls
The US government has been well aware of the rise in AI-generated voice robocalls and the impact they have on consumers. In 2019, the FCC granted phone service providers the permission to block suspected scam calls by default. However, this did not include calls using AI-generated voices.
In light of the recent prevalence of Biden impersonation scams, the FCC is now taking further steps to combat this issue. In a recent statement, acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, “We are aggressively going after these scammers with every tool, including new actions announced today, that the FCC has in its tool box.” These actions include:
1. Prohibiting the use of AI-generated voices in calls without the recipient’s prior consent. This extends to political campaigns, telemarketing, and surveys as well.
2. Implementing rules to verify the origin of international calls coming into the US. This is to prevent spoofing – the practice of disguising a call’s originating number to make it appear legitimate.
3. Requiring phone service providers to implement caller ID authentication by June 2021. This means that when you receive a call, your phone will display the caller’s name and number, allowing you to know for certain who is calling you.
Benefits of the FCC’s Actions
The implementation of these measures will have a significant impact in reducing the number of scam robocalls received by US citizens. By prohibiting the use of AI-generated voices and implementing stricter rules for caller ID authentication, scammers will find it harder to deceive people into giving out their personal information. This will ultimately lead to a safer and more secure environment for consumers.
Additionally, the FCC’s actions also highlight the importance of consumer education and awareness. Many people fall for these scams because they are unaware of the various tactics used by scammers. By spreading awareness about these issues, we can empower individuals to protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
How to Protect Yourself From AI-Generated Voice Robocalls
While the FCC’s actions are promising, it is important for individuals to take their own steps to protect themselves from AI-generated voice robocalls. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Do not answer calls from unknown numbers or numbers that look suspicious.
2. If you do answer a call from an unknown number, do not provide any personal information over the phone.
3. If you receive a call claiming to be from a government agency or a reputable company, hang up and call the organization directly using a verified number.
4. Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the number of unsolicited calls you receive.
5. Consider downloading a call-blocking app or using the features on your phone to block unwanted calls.
Conclusion
The US government’s actions against AI-generated voice robocalls are a step in the right direction in the fight against scam calls. With stricter rules and regulations in place, we can hope to see a significant decrease in the number of fraudulent calls being made to US citizens. However, it is also essential for individuals to stay vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves from falling prey to these scams. By spreading awareness and staying informed, we can all play a role in saying goodbye to scam robocalls for good.
