A new rule released by The Federal Communications Commission
is enabling state attorneys general to take action against illegal robocalls
that use AI voice cloning technology.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressed concern over the misuse of AI-generated voices in robocalls. The practices, she said, are being used to “extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters.”
According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), AI-generated
voices are considered artificial or prerecorded voices, which restricts callers
from using them for non-emergency purposes or without consent. Although The
TCPA has imposed bans on several different automated call practices, including artificial
or prerecorded voices to deliver messages, it had not explicitly included a ban
on AI-generated voices. The new ruling, therefore, does exactly that, and gives
State Attorneys General control on cracking down on the scam calls for the protection
of the public against fraud and misinformation.
