Lingo Telecom has been fined $1 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for transmitting deceptive robocalls that used artificial intelligence to spoof President Joe Biden’s voice. The calls, which were made on January 21, 2024, just before the New Hampshire primary, violated federal rules on caller ID information. The FCC initially sought a $2 million penalty but settled on the $1 million fine.
The robocalls were designed to mislead voters by using AI to imitate Biden’s voice and instructing them not to vote in the primary. The FCC is also pursuing a separate $6 million fine against political consultant Steve Kramer, who arranged these calls. Kramer, who is also facing a criminal indictment in New Hampshire, claims that the calls were intended to demonstrate the risks associated with AI rather than to influence the election outcome.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the need for transparency, stating that consumers should be aware when AI is being used in communications. She stressed that the FCC will take action to maintain trust in communication networks, reflecting concerns about the misuse of technology for deceptive purposes.
As part of the settlement, Lingo Telecom agreed to a consent decree involving new compliance measures, including adherence to the STIR/SHAKEN rules and implementing “Know Your Customer” and “Know Your Upstream Provider” principles. These measures are aimed at ensuring the accuracy of caller information and preventing similar incidents in the future.
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