A Phone Call to Fear: FCC Cracks Down on Deepfake Robocalls in 2024 Democratic Primary
The 2024 Democratic primary in New Hampshire saw a groundbreaking event: deepfake robocalls of President Joe Biden were used in an attempt to persuade voters not to support him. This brazen act of political manipulation, spearheaded by a political consultant named Steve Kramer, raised serious concerns about the future of elections and the role of technology in influencing public opinion.
The FCC, determined to protect the integrity of American elections and the public’s trust in communications networks, has taken decisive action. Texas-based Lingo Telecom, the wireless provider that allowed these harmful calls to be transmitted, has settled with the FCC, agreeing to pay a hefty $1 million civil penalty.
The Controversy: Fake Biden Calls and the Phillips Campaign
The controversy surrounding the fake Biden calls began with Dean Phillips, a Democratic congressman from Minnesota who was running against Biden in the 2024 primaries. Phillips’ campaign hired Kramer, who reportedly used AI cloning technology to create calls that sounded eerily like President Biden. These calls featured a script that aimed to dissuade voters from supporting Biden, falsely portraying him as reluctant to continue his candidacy.
This tactic, however, backfired spectacularly. It was ultimately deemed a high-risk, low-reward endeavor. Phillips secured less than 20% of the vote in New Hampshire, a far cry from Biden’s almost 64%. While the campaign claimed it had no knowledge of or authorization for the fake calls, Kramer’s actions ultimately cast a shadow on their efforts. Kramer himself now faces a proposed $6 million fine from the FCC.
FCC’s "Know Your Customer" and "Know Your Upstream Provider" Rules
The FCC’s decision to penalize Lingo Telecom is a powerful statement about its commitment to election security. Lingo Telecom, though not directly responsible for creating the robocalls, facilitated their transmission on its network. The FCC argues that this violated its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) and "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) rules. These regulations are designed to ensure that companies like Lingo Telecom have comprehensive knowledge of their customers and the source of the content they are transmitting.
With the rise of sophisticated technology like AI cloning, the FCC recognized the urgent need for stronger safeguards. The FCC emphasizes that the use of AI-generated voices, particularly in political campaigns, must be transparent. "Every one of us deserves to know that the voice on the line is exactly who they claim to be," declared FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
Moving Forward: Strengthening Network Security and Transparency
The settlement between the FCC and Lingo Telecom includes three significant changes to strengthen network security and protect the public from future abuses:
- A-level Attestation: Lingo Telecom will only apply the highest trust level ("A-level") to phone numbers if they directly provide the caller ID to the party making the call, eliminating the possibility of spoofing.
- Verification of Identity: The company will verify the identity and line of business of every customer and upstream provider by obtaining independent corroborating records, preventing deceptive usage of their network.
- Robust Robocall Mitigation: Lingo Telecom will only transmit traffic from upstream providers who have robust robocall mitigation mechanisms and respond effectively to traceback requests. This ensures that the company is not facilitating the transmission of harmful content.
Geopolitical Implications: A Domestic Threat with Global Potential
While the current case involved a domestic actor, the FCC has also highlighted the broader geopolitical implications of this technology. "Whether at the hands of domestic operatives seeking political advantage or sophisticated foreign adversaries conducting malign influence or election interference activities, the potential combination of the misuse of generative AI voice-cloning technology and caller ID spoofing over the U.S. communications network presents a significant threat," stated FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal.
The possibility of foreign adversaries employing AI-powered deepfakes to manipulate American elections is a worrisome prospect. The FCC’s strong stance against Lingo Telecom serves as a significant deterrent, sending a clear message that they will not tolerate such tactics.
A Call to Action: Protecting Our Democracy in the Digital Age
The deepfake robocall incident highlights the urgent need for ongoing vigilance in protecting our democracy from the dangers of misinformation and manipulation. The FCC’s action against Lingo Telecom is a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of our elections and the public’s confidence in our communications networks.
Moving forward, it is crucial to:
- Continue Investing in Security Measures: Enhance technological safeguards and partnerships that can detect and mitigate deepfake content.
- Promote Media Literacy: Educate the public on how to identify and critically evaluate potentially misleading information, particularly when encountering AI-generated content.
- Strengthen Collaboration Between Government and Industry: Foster a collaborative environment between regulators, technology companies, and civil society to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing the challenges posed by deepfake technology.
The 2024 Democratic primary deepfake scandal serves as a stark reminder that our elections are increasingly vulnerable to digital manipulation. By addressing this threat head-on, we can safeguard our democracy and ensure that the voices of the people are heard, not manipulated.
