Declaratory Ruling on AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls
United States · Regulation · Federal Communications Commission
Our summary
The FCC clarifies that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act applies to telephone calls using artificial or AI-generated voices, including voice cloning technology. Callers must obtain prior express consent before making such calls unless an emergency or statutory exemption applies, and must comply with existing identification, disclosure and opt-out requirements.
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4 sections
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I Introduction
Confirms that the TCPA's restrictions on artificial or prerecorded voices cover current AI-generated human voice technologies, so such calls require prior express consent from the recipient unless an emergency or exemption applies.
II Background
Describes the TCPA's existing protections against unwanted robocalls using artificial or prerecorded voices, and recounts the Commission's November 2023 notice indicating that AI technologies simulating human speech fall within TCPA authority.
III Discussion
Callers must obtain prior express consent before using voice cloning and other AI technologies that simulate human voices or prerecorded content, unless an emergency or exemption applies, and must include identification and disclosure information; calls that advertise or constitute telemarketing must also offer specified opt-out methods. The requirement protects consumers by preventing deception through voice mimicry and empowering them to refuse such calls.
IV Ordering clause
This Declaratory Ruling takes effect immediately and establishes that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act's restrictions on artificially generated or pre-recorded voices without prior express consent apply to AI-cloned and similar human-sounding voices, with State Attorneys General and the FCC authorized to enforce against fraudsters using voice cloning in robocalls. The ruling addresses harmful real-world uses including voter suppression, extortion, and scams, and notes that multiple federal agencies and legislators are also addressing AI risks.
Controls
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Change history
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