The US has banned robocalls whose voice was generated by artificial intelligence

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted unanimously to ban unwanted robocalls that use artificial intelligence-generated voices. The decision comes on the back of a 30-year-old law aimed at combating phone spam.

Here's What We Know

According to FCC head Jessica Rosenworcel, scammers are actively using speech imitation technologies to deceive citizens. In particular, on the eve of the primary elections, thousands of New Hampshire residents received a robocall, which in the voice of U.S. President Joe Biden urged not to participate in the Democratic Party primaries.

"Bad actors are using A.I.-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities and misinform voters" Rosenworcel commented.

The FCC ban expands the power of states to prosecute the creators of such spam robocalls. A number of states have already adopted their own restrictions on the use of personality impersonation technology in political advertising.

Go Deeper:

• A fake robocall on behalf of Biden urging him not to vote for Democrats in the US election turned out to be a dipfake
• US set to ban robocalls generated by artificial intelligence
• Texas companies organised robocalls on Biden's behalf ahead of New Hampshire primary

Source: The New York Times