Holly Reimer and Ali Swenson, Associated Press
4 minutes ago
FILE – This June 19, 2015 file photo shows the Federal Communications Commission building in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The Federal Communications Commission awards $6 million to a political consultant who sent AI-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. imposed a fine.
Steve Cramer, who also faces 20 criminal charges in New Hampshire, has admitted to orchestrating the messages sent to thousands of voters. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, but he had previously said he was trying to sound the alarm about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
The FCC also levied a $2 million fine against Lingo Telecom, which allegedly transmitted the calls. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said regulators are committed to helping states pursue perpetrators. In a statement, she called robocalls “alarming.”
“In the case of a phone call using AI technology, if the caller sounds like a politician you know, a celebrity you like, or a close family member, anyone can be fooled into believing something is not true. “There is a possibility that it will become a problem,” she said in a statement. “This is exactly how the bad actors behind these nuisance phone calls with manipulated voices want you to react.”
