FCC Demands Telecoms Combat AI Voice Cloning Robocalls Threatening Elections

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel is requesting information from major telecom providers on their efforts to combat AI-fueled robocalls, particularly those using AI voice cloning for political purposes.

Key details on FCC’s inquiry: Rosenworcel sent letters to the CEOs of nine telecom companies, acknowledging their cooperation but asking for more details to assist the FCC in keeping illegal robocalls off networks:

• The letters request information on how the companies authenticate calls to prevent spoofed caller IDs, verify customer identities, and handle FCC requests about suspected illegal robocall campaigns.
• Rosenworcel also asks about the companies’ involvement in the Industry Traceback Group and steps taken to address unauthorized AI-generated messaging campaigns during elections.
• Responses are requested by July 15.

Context and recent developments: The move follows an incident earlier this year where Democratic voters in New Hampshire received fraudulent robocalls faking President Biden’s voice using AI. In response:

• The FCC voted to declare robocalls using AI voice cloning illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• Forty-nine state attorneys general agreed to work with the FCC on the issue.
• Rosenworcel also recently proposed creating AI content disclosure rules for political ads.

Broader concerns and implications: Rosenworcel emphasizes the growing threat of AI technologies being misused by bad actors, making it cheap and easy to spread misleading deepfakes and erode trust, especially in elections. She stresses the need for telecoms to do everything possible to keep this “junk” off networks as AI tools become more accessible to scammers.

The FCC’s inquiry underscores the urgency of tackling the evolving challenge of AI-powered robocalls and their potential to deceive and manipulate voters. It remains to be seen how telecom providers will respond and what additional steps may be necessary to safeguard the integrity of communications networks and the political process in an age of rapidly advancing AI capabilities.