The New Hampshire State Attorney General’s Office issued a cease-and-desist order to Life Corporation, a Texas entity accused of making voter suppression robocalls in violation of state law. The FCC partnered with the Attorney General’s Office in this matter, sending a strong message that they are vigilant in monitoring and investigating the malicious use of AI to threaten the democratic process. Lingo Telecom, which had been providing services to Life, suspended services after being informed of the investigation. The FCC has also requested other telecom providers to beware of suspicious phone traffic carried by Lingo and may begin blocking calls from Lingo if they notify the agency of their decision to do so.
Both Lingo and Life have a history of robocall violations, and law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about how AI technology can be used to influence elections. The impersonation of Biden’s voice in the robocalls urged voters to stay home and save their vote for the November presidential election, misleading them about the significance of the primary election. The FCC and the New Hampshire State Attorney General’s Office are determined to utilize every available tool to prevent the harmful misuse of AI technologies in U.S. communications networks and ensure the integrity of democratic processes.
It is evident that the authorities are taking strong action against the illegal robocalls that targeted New Hampshire households prior to the primary election. By partnering with regulatory agencies and swiftly responding to the situation, they are sending a clear message that such violations of voter rights will not be tolerated. As the investigation continues, the FCC and state officials remain committed to upholding the highest standards of customer care and compliance with regulatory obligations. It is imperative for telecom providers to heed the warnings and cooperate with the ongoing efforts to bring a resolution to this matter.