A company that sent artificial intelligence (AI) robocalls mimicking the voice of Joe Biden to New Hampshire voters has agreed to pay a $1 million fine. The calls, made by a company called BD Voice, were made during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in an attempt to sway voters. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that the calls violated the Truth in Caller ID Act, which prohibits the use of misleading or inaccurate caller ID information.
The calls featured a voice that sounded like Biden congratulating the recipient on their support and urging them to vote for him in the primary. The FCC received numerous complaints about the calls, with many voters feeling deceived and confused by the AI technology used to mimic Biden’s voice. The agency determined that the calls were deceptive and violated the law.
In addition to paying the $1 million fine, BD Voice has agreed to implement a compliance plan to ensure that its future communications comply with federal laws. The company has also agreed to participate in a cease-and-desist order to prevent similar deceptive practices in the future.
The incident highlights the growing use of AI technology in political campaigns and the need for regulations to prevent deceptive practices. The FCC’s enforcement action sends a clear message that companies using AI technology to impersonate public figures will face consequences for their actions. The fine and compliance plan serve as a warning to other companies engaging in similar behavior and reinforce the importance of transparency and honesty in political communications.
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