FCC Proposes New Rules For AI-Generated Robocalls and Robotexts

The FCC has proposed new rules governing the use of AI-generated phone calls and texts. Part of the proposal centers on create a clear definition for AI-generated calls, with the rest focuses on consumer protection by making companies disclose when AI is being used in calls or texts. A report adds: "This provides consumers with an opportunity to identify and avoid those calls or texts that contain an enhanced risk of fraud and other scams," the FCC said. The agency is also looking ensure that legitimate uses of AI to assist people with disabilities to communicate remains protected.

New rule proposal

[Anonymous Coward]

No automated calls or texts*. If you have something to tell me, tell me yourself.

Emergency notifications (EMS/FIRE/FEMA/etc.) allowed to use every/any method necessary.

Re:New rule proposal

[Arkus]

Unfortunately politicians will include themselves in the "etc".

Already banned

[will4]

https://www.fcc.gov/document/f... [fcc.gov]

Home / EDOCS / Commission Documents Feb 8, 2024

FCC Makes AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls Illegal

The FCC announced the unanimous adoption of a Declaratory Ruling that recognizes calls made with AI-generated voices are "artificial" under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Not a chance.

[hdyoung]

Loper bright, baby. If it's not explicitly codified in law, the executive branch has exactly zero power. And I'm pretty sure there are exactly zero laws that include the words "robocall", "robotext" or "AI".

This wouldn't survive 15 minutes inside a courtroom.

Just fix the do-not-call registry.

[SvnLyrBrto]

It already has too many loopholes and failures and needs to be improved anyway. So start off including text messaging... I don't give a damn if by a person, and robocalled, or an AI... in the rules. Also close off the loopholes like that dumbass 31-day cooling-off period (I'm not buying a bloody gun, dammit, even if I add myself in error or someone else adds me as a prank, it hurts no one even a whit. So the moment I'm on the list, just STOP CALLING!) and ALL of the exemptions (I don't want to be harassed on the phone about an extended warranty for my car. So just what in the name of Cthulhu's gaping butthole makes you think to hear a your charity pitch or a pre-recorded politician begging for my vote?). And fix caller-ID so that it can't be spoofed or blocked while we're at it (no dodging DNC or my phone's blocked numbers list with throwaway numbers or "Unknown Caller" responses).

And put some goddamned teeth into it! Increase the fines exponentially! Every time I get an unwanted call, fine whoever called double the fine charged to the telemarketer who called! And fine *somebody* no matter what. Even if it's a fly-by-night operator calling from some overseas rathole that refuses to stop their illicit callers, *someone* in the US sold them a phone number from a US block, and *someone* in the US is enabling them to collect and process payments. Clean out their accounts too if they don't bother with due diligence and continue to do business with telemarketing scum.

Re:

[kackle]

I agree. And if such an idea hurts too many feelings of the upper-morons, I'll repeat what a Slashdotter posted back when: Mandate a feature where pressing a certain number on the phone charges the caller $0.25 (or other trivial amount). Half of that goes to the called person, the other half goes to the phone company(s). That way the phone company will willing comply and any mistaken charges won't harm anyone.

So uhhh

[paul_engr]

It's the honor system? I'm confident the dishonorable spammers and scammers will certainly comply!

Incoming lawsuit

[gkelley]

Pretty sure that some front group (hiding the links to telemarketers/politicians) will file a lawsuit in the West Texas federal court.to block this and win. Then win in the 5th circuit, etc.

Need Elimination, Not Rules

[BrendaEM]

No one wants to be called by "AI"

Hi Son....

[OppMan29]

AI: Hi Son , this is mom. I forgot my purse at home and I need a credit card ASAP... I'm calling you from my bosses office, could you give me your Visa number ? Son: sure Mom, Here its is.... 12346 When you cant trust the voice on the other side, its game over for all those trusting people. we had a data leak in FL that contain your previous address, your phone numbers, your relationships to your mother, brothers and your email addresses.. What's stopping AI from finding some videos that contain your moth