Authorities in New Hampshire have taken action against two Texas companies believed to be behind AI-generated robocalls that imitated President Joe Biden’s voice and discouraged people from voting in the state’s primary. The New Hampshire Attorney General, John Formella, identified the source of the calls as Life Corporation and stated that they were transmitted by Lingo Telecom. Cease-and-desist orders and subpoenas have been issued to both companies, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Lingo Telecom. The FCC stated that it was aiming to prevent behavior that violates voter suppression laws.
Formella described the calls as a clear and potentially the first-known attempt to interfere with an election in the US using AI. He emphasized that the calls went beyond traditional political fliers and were a blatant attempt to mislead voters. The investigation aims to set an example and enforce consequences for anyone considering similar actions.
Life Corporation’s offices in Texas were unresponsive, with owner Walter Monk not returning phone messages or emails. Lingo Telecom, on the other hand, released a statement claiming immediate action to assist the task force of state attorneys general with their investigation. The company stated its commitment to upholding customer care standards and complying with regulatory obligations.
The robocalls, which were sent to between 5,000 and 25,000 voters two days before the primary, used a voice similar to Biden’s and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would prevent voters from participating in the general election. The calls appeared to come from Kathy Sullivan’s personal cellphone number, a former state Democratic Party chair involved in supporting the Biden write-in campaign. At least 10 recipients of the calls contacted Sullivan, who condemned any attempt to suppress votes.
Experts warn that this incident is just one example of what could be expected in terms of election disinformation in 2024. The use of generative AI technology for voter suppression highlights the growing challenges faced by democratic processes.
Biden’s campaign expressed support for the investigation, emphasizing that disinformation aimed at suppressing voting and undermining free and fair elections is an unacceptable threat. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office was praised for its swift response.
The FCC’s cease-and-desist letter to Lingo Telecom mentioned collaboration with the Industry Traceback Group, a consortium of telecom and broadband industry service providers that can trace calls to their source even if they have been spoofed. The letter revealed that Lingo Telecom suspended services to Life Corporation upon learning of the investigation.
Formella stated that charges could be brought under New Hampshire’s voter suppression law, which carries severe penalties, or under federal laws such as the Truth in Caller ID Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The FCC recently proposed criminalizing unsolicited robocalls that use AI-generated voices.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, the goal is to send a strong message and deter any further attempts to interfere in this year’s elections. Law enforcement across the country is unified in its bipartisan commitment to combatting any threats to the integrity of elections.
The actions taken by New Hampshire authorities highlight the importance of addressing the misuse of AI technology in influencing democratic processes. As technology continues to advance, vigilance and proactive measures will be vital to safeguarding the integrity of elections.
