A telecommunications company faces a significant fine for its role in disseminating a fraudulent call that used artificial intelligence to imitate the voice of President Joe Biden. This case, considered an unprecedented example of malicious use of deepfakes in U.S. politics, has resulted in Lingo Telecom agreeing to pay a $1 million fine and submit to stricter oversight by federal authorities.
The Deepfake and Its Consequences
Earlier this year, New Hampshire voters received a robocall that imitated President Biden's voice. This call, generated using artificial intelligence, urged citizens not to vote in the January Democratic primaries. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) quickly responded, identifying Life Corporation, a Texas-based company, as responsible for this and other similar scams. As a result, the FCC imposed a $6 million fine on the company and an associated individual.
However, the case did not end there. The scammers also enlisted the help of Lingo Telecom, a company previously involved in suspicious activities. Lingo, formerly known by names like Ameritel, Excel, and Startec, played a key role in distributing the fraudulent calls using spoofed phone numbers. This behavior led the FCC to impose a $1 million fine on Lingo and require them to comply with new, stricter regulations.
First Action Against Political Deepfakes
This incident marks the first time a deepfake technology has been used in a national political context in the United States, raising significant concerns among authorities. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the importance of this action, stating that "everyone deserves to know that the voice on the other end of the line is exactly who they claim to be." She also highlighted that any use of artificial intelligence in communications must be transparent to consumers.
Political consultant Steve Kramer, who orchestrated the robocall as a supposed "stunt" to raise awareness about the dangers of deepfakes, is also facing severe consequences. Kramer, who was working for a rival campaign at the time, has been charged with 26 criminal counts of voter intimidation and impersonating officials in New Hampshire. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has backed a civil lawsuit against Kramer filed by the League of Women Voters.
This case highlights the growing dangers of using advanced technologies to manipulate public opinion and underscores the need for strict regulation to prevent deepfakes from becoming a common tool in political disinformation. By holding Lingo Telecom accountable for its role in this scandal, authorities are sending a clear message that neither electoral interference nor deceptive technologies will be tolerated.
