Common Dreams: FCC Announces New Rule to Confront Deepfake Robocalls

02.8.2024 / By JULIA CONLEY
Common Dreams: FCC Announces New Rule to Confront Deepfake Robocalls

Ishan Mehta, media and democracy program director for Common Cause, said the calls in New Hampshire last month represented "only the tip of the iceberg" and warned that "it is critically important that the FCC now use this authority to fine violators and block the telephone companies that carry the calls." Mehta called on Congress to pass the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, which would prohibit the distribution ofdeceptive AI-generated audio, images, or video relating to federal candidates in political ads. "We hope that both the House and the Senate will follow the example of the FCC," said Mehta, "whose Democratic and Republican commissioners recognized the threat posed by AI and came together in a unanimous vote to outlaw robocalls utilizing AI voice-cloning tools."

Ishan Mehta, media and democracy program director for Common Cause, said the calls in New Hampshire last month represented “only the tip of the iceberg” and warned that “it is critically important that the FCC now use this authority to fine violators and block the telephone companies that carry the calls.”

Mehta called on Congress to pass the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, which would prohibit the distribution ofdeceptive AI-generated audio, images, or video relating to federal candidates in political ads.

“We hope that both the House and the Senate will follow the example of the FCC,” said Mehta, “whose Democratic and Republican commissioners recognized the threat posed by AI and came together in a unanimous vote to outlaw robocalls utilizing AI voice-cloning tools.”

 

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