Telecom company to pay $1 million fine for Biden deepfake robocall

The telecommunications company that transmitted robocalls using artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic President Biden’s voice will pay a $1 million fine, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Wednesday. 

Lingo Telecom carried the calls that targeted New Hampshire voters ahead of the Granite State’s primary in January, using an audio recording of the president’s cloned voice to tell people not to vote. 

In addition to the fine, the voice service provider has also agreed to implement a compliance plan, which requires “strict adherence” to the FCC’s framework for caller ID authentication, according to an agency press release. 

“Every one of us deserves to know that the voice on the line is exactly who they claim to be,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “If AI is being used, that should be made clear to any consumer, citizen, and voter who encounters it. The FCC will act when trust in our communications networks is on the line.” 

Steve Kramer, the veteran Democratic operative who admitted to directing the robocalls, separately faces a $6 million proposed fine from the FCC. He was also indicted on 26 felony and misdemeanor charges in New Hampshire for voter suppression and impersonation of a candidate. 

“This settlement is a major victory for the integrity of elections, especially for New Hampshire and its voters who were targeted,” New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a statement. 

“By holding Lingo Telecom accountable for its role in transmitting the spoofed robocalls carrying AI-generated messages, the FCC is sending a strong message that election interference and deceptive technology will not be tolerated,” he added.