A telecommunications company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for transmitting a deepfake robocall featuring President Joe Biden's voice.
The call targeted New Hampshire voters in January and urged them not to participate in the Democratic primary.
According to The Verge, Lingo Telecom, the company responsible for relaying the fake message, will not only face the monetary penalty but also be required to adhere to stricter compliance rules. The FCC's enforcement action comes as part of broader efforts to combat the misuse of artificial intelligence in political communications.
The settlement with Lingo Telecom represents a significant step in the FCC's efforts to regulate the use of AI-generated content in telecommunications. In addition to the fine, the company will be required to follow more stringent caller ID authentication rules and implement "know your customer" principles.
The FCC has also mandated that Lingo Telecom enhance its verification processes for information provided by customers and upstream providers. This move aims to prevent future incidents of unauthorized or misleading AI-generated content being transmitted through telecom networks.
These measures reflect the FCC's commitment to maintaining trust in communication networks and protecting consumers from potentially deceptive practices involving artificial intelligence.
The incident involving Lingo Telecom highlights growing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology in political campaigns. The deepfake robocall impersonated President Biden and was designed to discourage voter turnout in a key primary election.
In response to this and similar incidents, the FCC has taken proactive steps to address the issue. In February, shortly after the New Hampshire call was reported, the agency adopted a ban on AI-generated voices in robocalls without recipients' consent.
Furthermore, the FCC has proposed new requirements for political advertisers to disclose the use of generative AI in radio and TV advertisements. These measures aim to increase transparency and ensure voters are aware when AI technology has been used to create or modify political content.
The action against Lingo Telecom is part of a larger regulatory effort by the FCC to address the challenges posed by AI in telecommunications. The agency has demonstrated its willingness to impose significant penalties on those who violate its rules regarding AI-generated content.
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of transparency in AI use, stating:
Every one of us deserves to know that the voice on the line is exactly who they claim to be. If AI is being used, that should be made clear to any consumer, citizen, and voter who encounters it. The FCC will act when trust in our communications networks is on the line.
The settlement with Lingo Telecom may have far-reaching implications for the telecommunications industry. Other companies in the sector are likely to take note of the hefty fines and stricter compliance requirements, potentially leading to industry-wide changes in how AI-generated content is handled and transmitted.
The FCC's $1 million fine against Lingo Telecom for transmitting a deepfake robocall of President Biden highlights the growing challenges posed by AI in political communications. The settlement includes stricter compliance rules for the company, reflecting the FCC's commitment to regulating AI use in telecommunications. The incident has led to broader regulatory measures, including a ban on unauthorized AI-generated voices in robocalls and proposed disclosure requirements for political advertisers using generative AI.
