FCC Fines Lingo Telecom Over Deepfake AI Biden Robocalls Incident

Friday, 23 August 2024, 09:41

FCC has imposed a $1 million fine on Lingo Telecom due to deepfake AI Biden robocalls that spread election disinformation in New Hampshire. These calls, using AI-generated audio, misled voters about the electoral process. The settlement underscores the FCC's commitment to combating misinformation and enforcing caller ID authentication.
Mashable
FCC Fines Lingo Telecom Over Deepfake AI Biden Robocalls Incident

The Deepfake AI Biden Robocalls Scandal

The FCC has fined Lingo Telecom $1 million over misleading deepfake AI robocalls utilizing President Biden's voice to disseminate election misinformation in New Hampshire. Initially facing a $2 million penalty, the fee was reduced as part of a settlement. While Lingo Telecom didn’t create the content, it violated FCC rules by not properly guarding against caller ID spoofing.

Caller ID Spoofing and Misuse of Technology

These fraudulent robocalls, which misrepresented their origins as from a former Democratic Party Chair, exemplify a critical issue in telecommunications. The FCC's Consent Decree stated that Lingo had incorrectly certified its relationship with the callers involved. This relaxation of verification allowed fake messaging to flourish.

  • Compliance Plan: Lingo Telecom agreed to a compliance plan aligning with FCC's STIR/SHAKEN rules.
  • Threat Landscape: The FCC emphasized that the misuse of generative AI and caller ID spoofing poses significant risks.

Implications of the Settlement

As described by Loyaan A. Egal, the FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief, the necessity for communications service providers to secure their systems against such threats has never been more vital. This fine serves as a cautionary example for the industry.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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