Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has introduced a proposal to declare AI-generated robocalls illegal and subject them to penalties set forth in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The announcement, made on January 31, comes in response to recent incidents involving AI-generated calls imitating President Joe Biden’s voice and spreading misinformation ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
The proposal aims to combat the rise of AI-based robocalls, which use technology to impersonate celebrities, politicians and even family members to deceive consumers and violate their privacy.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1991 designed primarily to regulate automated political and marketing calls made without the recipient’s consent. Its primary purpose is to protect consumers from unwanted and intrusive communications, including unsolicited telemarketing calls and automated messages.
By implementing this proposal, the FCC plans to provide state attorneys general across the country with additional tools to pursue and enforce legal consequences against individuals responsible for these malicious AI-generated robocalls.
The FCC’s decision to address AI-based robocalls follows a notice of investigation launched by the agency last November. The study sought information on solving the problem of illegal robocalls and the potential involvement of AI. The FCC has investigated AI’s role in fraud, voice mimicry, and whether AI should be regulated under the TCPA. The agency also sought insights into how AI could be proactively used to detect and prevent illegal robocalls.
As deepfake technology proliferates, concerns about AI-generated content have grown, and calls have been made for legislation to criminalize the creation of deepfake images and videos. Recent incidents involving AI-generated calls mimicking President Biden’s highlight the need for regulatory action to address the misuse of AI in fraudulent communications.
The White House also recently released a fact sheet outlining key actions related to AI, highlighting “substantial progress” to protect Americans from potential risks associated with AI systems. The global community, including organizations such as the World Economic Forum and intelligence agencies such as Canada’s CSIS, has expressed concerns about the use of AI deepfakes in disinformation campaigns and the need to mitigate this threat.
As AI continues to advance, policymakers and regulators must strike a balance between leveraging AI’s positive potential and addressing the risks and challenges it poses, including the proliferation of AI-generated content and deceptive communications. I’m trying.
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate human voices through robocalls. We are taking steps to protect consumers from these scams.
— FCC (@FCC) January 31, 2024