The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a proposal to protect consumers against AI-generated robocalls and robotexts. The initiative, launched on August 8, aims to address the increasing use of these automated communication tools to facilitate scams.
Robocalls are automated phone calls that deliver pre-recorded messages to a large number of people simultaneously. Similarly, robotexts are automated text messages delivered in bulk. Robo calls and texts have a variety of functions. Businesses often use them for telemarketing, promoting products and services, and conducting surveys. They can also provide important updates, like weather updates and appointment reminders.
However, on the downside, scammers can spoof robocalls and robotexts, making them appear as though they come from a trustworthy number. These scammers could impersonate government agencies, legitimate businesses and even family and friends.
Robocalls and robotexts scams are similar to traditional vishing and smishing campaigns, where attackers exploit human emotions to get users to divulge sensitive information. These messages may include false claims about bank account problems, gift promotions, or device updates.
AI-generated robocalls and robotexts scams can be more dangerous than traditional vishing and smishing attacks due to their automated nature, which enables scammers to reach numerous victims at once. Furthermore, the use of advanced technologies, such as voice cloning, makes these scams more convincing and harder to detect. The anonymity provided by SMS services and the ease of using multiple phone numbers and fake identities further complicate efforts to trace and block these attacks, thereby increasing their overall risk.
The FCC’s proposal addresses key aspects of AI-generated calls and texts to enhance transparency, protect consumers, and promote the positive use of AI:
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- Definition of AI-Generated Calls: The FCC plans to establish a clear definition of AI-generated calls to effectively enforce regulations and ensure consumer awareness.
- Disclosure Requirements: Callers are required to notify customers of their use of AI in interactions when seeking consent.
- Positive Uses of AI: The proposal plans to ensure that positive uses of AI, especially those that help individuals with disabilities, are not subject to legal penalties under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA imposes regulations on automated calls and texts to prevent unwanted communication, but the proposal intends to make sure that beneficial uses of AI are exempt from these restrictions, allowing them to continue helping people with disabilities without fear of legal repercussions.
- Consumer Protections: The FCC aims to help consumers identify and avoid risky AI-generated calls and establish transparency standards for AI in political advertisements.
The FCC is also seeking public feedback on the suggested regulations. Additionally, they want input on developing technologies to alert consumers about unwanted or illegal AI-generated communications.
The FCC’s proposal is a proactive move to tackle the issues caused by AI-generated robocalls and robotexts. By setting clear rules, the FCC hopes to safeguard consumers while also promoting the positive uses of AI technology.
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