Robocalls Using AI to Mimic Bidens Voice Targeted New Hampshire Voters

Authorities in New Hampshire and the FCC have taken action against two Texas companies believed to be responsible for robocalls that used artificial intelligence to impersonate President Joe Biden and discourage voting in the states primary. The calls, described as the first known attempt to use AI to interfere with an election in the US, went beyond traditional political fliers and raised concerns about voter suppression.

In a concerning turn of events, authorities in the United States have uncovered a sophisticated attempt to manipulate voters in the recent New Hampshire primary election. Two Texas-based companies, Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom, have been identified as the source of robocalls that employed artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic President Joe Biden's voice and discourage people from participating in the election.

Cease-and-Desist Orders Issued

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced the issuance of cease-and-desist orders and subpoenas to both Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a cease-and-desist letter to Lingo Telecom, emphasizing its commitment to preventing "behavior that violates voter suppression laws."

AI-Generated Calls: A First of Its Kind

During a press conference, Attorney General Formella described the robocalls as a unique and potentially groundbreaking attempt to interfere with an election using AI. He highlighted that these calls went beyond traditional political fliers and represented a blatant attempt to mislead voters.

Deceptive Tactics and False Information

The recorded message, sent to thousands of voters just two days before the primary, used a voice resembling President Biden's and employed his signature phrase, "What a bunch of malarkey." It falsely suggested that voting in the primary would prevent voters from participating in the general election in November.

Impersonation and Misdirection

The calls deceptively appeared to originate from the personal cellphone number of Kathy Sullivan, a former state Democratic Party chair involved in a super PAC supporting Biden's write-in campaign. This resulted in at least 10 recipients of the calls contacting Sullivan directly.

Rapidly Advancing Technology and Election Disinformation

The incident underscores the growing concern surrounding the potential misuse of rapidly advancing AI technology to spread disinformation and manipulate elections. Experts warn that the upcoming 2024 elections could face unprecedented levels of election-related disinformation worldwide.

Biden Campaign Commends Investigation

Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, commended the investigation into the robocalls, emphasizing the importance of addressing disinformation aimed at suppressing voting and undermining free and fair elections.

Tracing the Source of the Calls

The FCC's investigation involved collaboration with the Industry Traceback Group, a consortium of telecom and broadband industry service providers. This collaboration enabled the tracing of the calls to their original source, even though they were "spoofed" to appear as if they came from someone else.

Potential Legal Consequences

Attorney General Formella indicated that charges could be brought under New Hampshire's voter suppression law, which carries the potential for up to seven years in prison, or under federal laws such as the Truth in Caller ID Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, both of which carry substantial fines.

Deterrence and Bipartisan Collaboration

The investigation serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering interfering in future elections. Attorney General Formella emphasized the unified efforts of law enforcement agencies across the country, working together on a bipartisan basis to combat any attempts to undermine the integrity of elections.