- Lingo Telecom fined $1 million by FCC for spreading deepfake robocalls of President Biden.
- The new compliance plan includes strict KYC and caller ID authentication rules.
- Scam was aimed to suppress voter turnout in New Hampshire’s presidential primary.
In a landmark enforcement action, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a $1 million fine on Texas-based Lingo Telecom for its role in disseminating deepfake robocalls featuring an AI-generated voice of President Joe Biden. The deceptive calls targeted voters in the New Hampshire primary and were aiming to discourage voter participation and manipulate election outcomes.
FCC’s Crackdown on Technology Misuse
The FCC’s decision highlights the growing concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence in electoral processes. Lingo Telecom’s penalty includes a historic compliance plan which will be seen as a major step in regulatory responses to digital deception in politics. This plan mandates Lingo Telecom to adhere strictly to FCC’s STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards, along with rigorous “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and “Know Your Upstream Provider” (KYUP) protocols.
Details of the Scam
The scam involved robocalls sent out two days before the New Hampshire 2024 presidential primary, with a cloned voice of President Biden instructing voters not to participate in the primary. The architect of the robocall, political consultant Steve Kramer, directed these messages through Lingo Telecom’s networks. Kramer, affiliated with a rival candidate, now faces charges including felony voter suppression and misdemeanor impersonation.
Implications for Electoral Integrity
This case highlights the potential for AI technologies like deepfake to sow discord and distrust among the electorate. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of trust in communication networks, especially when AI is involved. The misuse of AI and caller ID spoofing poses a major threat not only domestically but also as a tool for foreign interference in U.S. elections.
Additional Measures and Legal Actions
Beyond the fine and compliance requirements, Lingo Telecom is obligated to improve its verification processes and ensure all upstream providers have effective robocall mitigation mechanisms. The FCC’s ongoing efforts also include proposals for new transparency standards requiring disclosures when AI is used in political advertising on radio and television.
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