On Thursday, in a unanimous decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a ruling that strictly prohibits the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls.
This proactive step is part of a broader strategy to combat fraud and prevent election interference. In the process, the ruling expands upon the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991 to specifically outlaw AI voice-cloning technologies. Previously, the Act had not explicitly addressed this type of technology.
From now on, FCC possesses the power to impose penalties on entities that unlawfully employ robocalls. Moreover, carriers are now required to block such calls. The Act also empowers consumers and organizations to seek legal recourse in instances of violations. State Attorneys General have obtained additional enforcement mechanisms under the TCPA to tackle and penalize the illicit use of robocall technology.
FCC Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, expressed her thoughts, stating, “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. State Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation.”
This decision emerged in response to the increasingly sophisticated fraud methods facilitated by AI, particularly voice cloning technologies that copy real human voices. Recently, AI-generated robocalls in New Hampshire impersonated President Joe Biden, misleading voters ahead of the state’s primary elections. In a joint action with the New Hampshire State Attorney General soon afterwards, FCC issued a cease-and-desist order to Texas-based Lingo Telecom, demanding to stop the robocalls immediately.
The FCC’s recent regulation is part of a more extensive campaign to anticipate the malicious use of AI. This campaign includes a Notice of Inquiry launched in November 2023 that scrutinized AI’s role in robocalls. This investigation involved a bipartisan Anti-Robocall Task Force, which ultimately led to the current ban on AI-generated voices in robocalls.