The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday finalized a $6 million fine against a political consultant who urged New Hampshire voters not to vote in the state’s Democratic primary over a fake robocall imitating President Biden’s voice. did.
In May, Stephen Cramer, a political consultant for the Louisiana Democratic Party, was indicted in New Hampshire for making a phone call in which Biden appeared to be telling residents not to vote until November. Mr. Cramer worked for Mr. Biden’s primary challenger, Representative Dean Phillips, who condemned the call.
Mr. Kramer told the media in January that he paid $500 to send calls to voters to alert them to the dangers of artificial intelligence in election campaigns.
In May, Stephen Cramer, a political consultant for the Louisiana Democratic Party, was indicted in New Hampshire for making a phone call in which Biden appeared to be telling residents not to vote until November. AP
The FCC said the call was produced using an AI-generated deepfake audio recording intended to sound like Biden’s voice.
FCC rules prohibit the transmission of inaccurate caller ID information. The commission said Mr. Kramer must pay the fine within 30 days or the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice for collection.
Kramer or a spokesperson could not immediately be reached.
“It’s now cheap and easy to use artificial intelligence to replicate audio and bombard us with fake sounds and images,” said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. said. “This technology has the potential to illegally interfere with elections by illegally stealing the likenesses of people we know. We will report it when we see it and work to stop this fraud. We need to use every tool at our disposal.”
In August, Ringo Telecom agreed to pay a $1 million fine after the FCC said it sent fake robocalls to New Hampshire.
Mr. Cramer works for Mr. Biden’s primary challenger, Representative Dean Phillips, who condemned the call. Getty Images
The FCC said that under the settlement, Lingo will implement a compliance plan that requires strict adherence to the FCC’s caller ID authentication rules.
In July, the commission passed a proposal that would require radio and television political ads to disclose whether their content was generated by AI. That proposal is still pending.
