Are you tired of getting annoying spam robocalls? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to crack down on them after passing a new set of rules during their August 7 opening meeting that you can watch here.
The FCC voted unanimously in favor of Strengthening a Key Tool for Combatting Robocalls (PDF), which improves the commission’s Robocall Mitigation Database. The database is used to “protect the public from the harms caused by illegal robocalling campaigns” and providers have to submit complete, accurate, and up-to-date information. Penalties would occur if the provided information is false and inaccurate.
During the meeting, the FCC helped establish rules to define what constitutes an AI call. Transparency is a key focus as with the new rules, to begin a call, the callers would have to disclose if they’re using AI technology, and it can only be made if consumers consent to it. Although the ruling is to help crack down on the number of junk and unwanted calls, the commission was mindful of AI’s benefits, as it can help those with disabilities to use telephones and voice services.
As AI has advanced, more consumers are becoming victims of scams using the technology. In 2023, more than 2 million Americans on the Do Not Call list complained to the FTC and scammers were able to trick Americans out of $39 billion. The number of robocalls increased by 2.8 million from the fiscal year of 2022 to 2023.
To help combat scammers, the FCC ruled that the use of AI-generated voice clones is illegal after New Hampshire residents were victims of cybercriminals impersonating President Joe Biden. “Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. On top of that, dealing with spam calls is time-consuming as Americans wasted 227 million hours answering them in 2023.