US regulators took a definitive stance on Thursday, Feb. 9, deeming scam "robocalls" that utilize voices crafted with artificial intelligence (AI) unlawful.
The issue came under the spotlight last month following a deceptive robocall impersonating US President Joe Biden, advising people against voting in the New Hampshire primary.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on February 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden addressed the Special Counsel's report on his handling of classified material, and the status of the war in Gaza.
FCC Declares AI-generated Robocalls as Illegal
In a press release issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today, it was announced that a Declaratory Ruling has been unanimously passed, recognizing calls employing AI-generated voices as "artificial" under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
This ruling, effective immediately, renders illegal the voice cloning technology employed in prevalent robocall schemes targeting consumers.
"Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters. We're putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
"State Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected fromfraud and misinformation."
The surge in such calls over recent years has been alarming, with AI technology now capable of mimicking the voices of celebrities, political figures, and even close relatives to deceive consumers with misinformation.
While State Attorneys General were previously able to address the consequences of unwanted AI-voice-generated robocalls, such as the scams or frauds they propagate, this ruling expands the legal avenues to hold perpetrators accountable by prohibiting the use of AI to generate voices in robocalls.
In November 2023, the FCC initiated a Notice of Inquiry to gather insights on combating illegal robocalls and the involvement of AI in this domain. Questions were raised regarding the potential misuse of AI for scams originating from junk calls and voice impersonations and the necessity for oversight under the TCPA.
Moreover, the FCC explored avenues through which AI can aid in pattern recognition to preemptively identify illegal robocalls before reaching consumers.
Read Also: AT&T Will Now Allow Businesses to Make 'Branded Calls' to Stop Robocalls
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act serves as the FCC's primary tool in curbing junk calls, imposing restrictions on telemarketing calls, and the utilization of automated systems for dialing and transmitting prerecorded voice messages.
This Declaratory Ruling guarantees that AI-generated voices used in calls adhere to equally rigorous standards.
Under the TCPA, the FCC possesses civil enforcement authority to penalize robocallers, including the authority to block calls from carriers facilitating illegal robocalls.
Additionally, individual consumers or organizations can initiate legal action against robocallers. State Attorneys General also wield enforcement mechanisms tied to robocall definitions under the TCPA.
Recently, a coalition comprising 26 State Attorneys General supported the FCC's stance, advocating for a robust approach to combatting illegal robocalls.
Related Article: POTUS Biden Robocall: New Hampshire Voters Advised Not to Vote, Attorney General Says It's Fake
