Very expensive prank: $6 million fine will be paid by the author of calls with Biden's voice

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States has fined Steve Kramer $6 million for making thousands of automated calls that mimicked the voice of President Joe Biden.

Earlier this year, Kramer called residents of New Hampshire using voice cloning technology powered by artificial intelligence and spoofed caller ID. The mass prankster urged voters not to participate in the state’s presidential primary elections.

“Let me be clear: if you flood our phones with this garbage, we will find you, and you will pay,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Kramer, who was working for the Democratic Party during the primaries, also faced charges of election interference. The FCC first announced the fine against Kramer in May, but the agency noted that he had failed to respond. He now has 30 days to pay the fine, or it will be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for collection.

Previously, the FCC explained that “artificial or pre-recorded” automated calls that utilize AI to clone a speaker's voice violate the “Telephone Consumer Protection Act” and may incur fines of hundreds of dollars for each call. The commission also imposed penalties on Lingo Telecom, the provider that enabled Kramer’s automated calls.

Source: Bloomberg