The robocalls, which were reportedly created with voice-cloning software from AI startup Eleven Labs, were designed to discourage voters from voting. The FCC has proposed a new rule to ban robocalls using AI-generated voices by updating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law that regulates telemarketers. In 2021, the FCC fined conservative activists Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman over $5 million for violating the law by placing threatening calls to voters.
Key takeaways:
- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella identified Texas-based telecom company Life Corporation as the source of AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden ahead of the state’s presidential primary.
- The Attorney General's office issued a cease-and-desist letter to Life Corporation and opened a criminal investigation into the matter. The FCC also sent cease-and-desist letters to Life Corporation and another Texas company, Lingo Telecom.
- Formella estimated that between 5,000 to 25,000 of these robocalls were placed to discourage voters from voting. The calls were reportedly created with voice-cloning software from AI startup Eleven Labs.
- The FCC recently proposed a ban on robocalls that use AI-generated voices by updating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a law that regulates telemarketers. In 2021, the FCC fined conservative activists Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman more than $5 million for violating this law.