FCC Outlaws AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls

Thursday, February 08, 2024

The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Posted by qcp at 08:33 PM | 21 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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FCC Outlaws AI-Generated Voices In Robocalls

Clearly bowing to the influence of the Rich Little Impressionists Union, Local 101.

#1 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-08 12:01 PM | Reply

Wait. So the FCC has the authority to interpret the law and make rules accordingly but not the EPA or Nation Marine Fisheries or any other agencies that republicans currently don't like?

We really need to make our minds up.

#2 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-08 08:49 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

The FCC needs to outlaw fascist programming, too.

#3 | Posted by chuffy at 2024-02-08 10:46 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#2 ... Wait. So the FCC has the authority to interpret the law and make rules accordingly but not the EPA or Nation Marine Fisheries or any other agencies that republicans currently don't like?...

From what I remember back in the 80's. (hazy,at best)

Back then, easily purchased radio scanners could pick up cell phone conversations.

And one of those cell phone conversations seem to be a member of Congress discussing an affair. The conversation apparently was recorded by a reporter for the local newspaper.

The ~event~ did not result in A Good Thing for the Congressperson involved.

Shortly thereafter, Congress passed a law that outlawed scanners that could receive cell phone frequencies ( www.congress.gov )

Where am I going with this?

I'm no longer sure.

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-08 11:15 PM | Reply

@#4

And also, fwiw, the radio receiver I have (an Icom IC-R7000) is capable of receiving 30MHz to 2GHz. I purchased it before before Congress passed that law, so I can still listen in on those (long out-dated) cell phone frequencies, and also baby monitors that seem to still use those same frequencies.

I do have to say, wow, friggin' wow.

It is amazing the conversations and other audio that people broadcast over public airwaves via their baby monitors.

WOW!!!

Those baby monitors really need to come with some manner of disclaimer that is not buried in the usual tiny print.

Jus' sayin'.

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-08 11:23 PM | Reply

so I can still listen in on those (long out-dated) cell phone frequencies

I had to cut a diode out of an old Radio Shack scanner to pick those up.

#6 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-02-08 11:27 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Who th' hell is stupid enough to even listen to robocalls?

#7 | Posted by Angrydad at 2024-02-09 09:42 AM | Reply

Who th' hell is stupid enough to even listen to robocalls?

#7 | POSTED BY ANGRYDAD

Boomers

The same people who can't turn their computer on without wiring half their life savings to a Nigerian Prince.

#8 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-02-09 10:21 AM | Reply

Your generation isn't going to be any different.
Grow the f**k up about "boomers."
Your only hope is being holier-than-thou will be from medical breakthroughs gained from trying to help "boomers."

#9 | Posted by YAV at 2024-02-09 10:30 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#8 | Posted by Sycophant

Bitter little twit, ain't'ye...

#10 | Posted by Angrydad at 2024-02-09 10:32 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Baby Boomer Inventions That Changed the World

www.reuters.com

Some of us were responsible for creating the Silicon Valley, and most every innovation that sprang from it.

#11 | Posted by Corky at 2024-02-09 10:54 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Some of us were responsible for creating the Silicon Valley, and most every innovation that sprang from it.

Clearly, some boomers were capable of figuring out that they could scan cell phone frequencies, and record them...

#12 | Posted by chuffy at 2024-02-09 12:12 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Boomers

#8 | Posted by Sycophant
_____________________

Kinda have to laugh at this. Every generation has left their education years, coming out with the idea they were going to change the world. Make it a better place and remove the problems in the process. Every generation thinks they are unique in this, being the first generation to actually care about the world and make changes.

Then real life happens. They find out, it isn't the the earlier generations that are the problem, it's the corporations, the government, and then they find out they have no control over those actions, they can either be part of it and make a payday for the family or they can go against the grain and be first in the next layoff but wind up not changing a thing. It goes on with them or with out them.

#13 | Posted by BBQ at 2024-02-09 03:46 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

#8 Sycophant Guess what, this boomer doesn't listen to robocalls. I don't answer the cellphone unless it's a number in my contacts. I figure if it's important they'll leave a message. I also delete almost all text messages unless it's friends, famnily or my doctor. I had to teach my children how to search the internet for Edgar Allen Poe for a school project in HS. BTW, I'm 69. DON'T lump al us boomers together. Also, my husband repairs computers and can buid computers, He's 64. I put scam emails in spam and then delete them. I'm very careful with emails.

#14 | Posted by Ronnie68 at 2024-02-09 10:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

I have to agree with Ronnie68, I have the same defense. You not in my contact list, I don't answer the phone. I don't need the DO NOT CALL list to do that. Congress set themselves up with a little loop hole in that one. They know the numbers on that list are verified. They can use those numbers to call for campaign contributions with impunity. I am quite sure my voice mail is full; it's intentional. One of the ways to dodge the DO NOT CALL list is to use text/voice mail. I never bother with it.

While I can build computers, am often asked to remote in to someone else's computer to assist with problems, it's just an every day thing. I rarely get spam in email. I've learned over the years to be very choosy about who gets that addy. I've had the same email addy for probably 20 years, it doesn't get spam. Nor do I click on some unknown link that arrived in email. Having worked with globe spanning networks as part of the job, not to mention SCADA as another part, technology is not something you avoid in today's world.

#15 | Posted by BBQ at 2024-02-10 09:59 AM | Reply

I'm amazed when anyone answers the phone from an unknown number.

Obviously on some occasions they may be expecting a call from an unknown number. But for the most part I think they're just lonely.

#16 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-10 10:13 AM | Reply

Computers are calling my phone everyday now.

Just because I have a phone does not mean I have to answer it. One of these days I will have my computer deal with their computers. There should be an app for that!

If I don't recognize the number I don't answer it. Leave a message or not. I don't care.

But I have noticed they are getting smarter. They are trying to call me more from local numbers now instead of from random cites around the state and country.

I did almost get spoofed once and they called from a PG&E number (Pacific Gas & Electric) and they almost got me to send them money for a payment they said they didnt get because they were up dating their software ... and it almost worked until they tried to have me send it thru Zelle and it didn't make sense so I started questioning them and they suddenly hung up. The only reason I even answered is because it came up as PG&E on my phone. That was a clever one.

I feel bad for the old people who do not have a clue but really it's been long enough now and folks really should know better unless they have been living in a cave.

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-10 11:05 AM | Reply

Re 13

Yuppers!

I get a chuckle out of hearing them blame "boomers" for all their troubles. Just like we tried to blame our parents. We weee just as idealist at the time. Hell we thought it was the Age of Aquarius and time for peace and love and flower children. And how did that turn out?

Like most of us really had any choice in the matter if we wished to survive it all (unless you were the 1%).

And I did. Survived it all. I wish the next generation luck. As they are gonna need it. Since they apparently have no skills to sell I sure hope they are good looking!

#18 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-10 12:52 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I do have to say, wow, friggin' wow.

I used to use my spectrum analyzer in the electronics shop.

But before that I used to use Guardrail Common Sensor.

I'd tell you all about it but then I'd have to kill ya. And I bet you all have things to do today.

#19 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-10 02:00 PM | Reply

I bought a boom box overseas that used different frequencies than we do. I used to listen to ATC on it. Waaay before the Internet caught on.

#20 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-10 02:09 PM | Reply

Boomers
#8 | Posted by Sycophant

Call your mom more often and she won't be so desperate for human contact she listens to robo-calls and responds to Nigerian Princes.

No us X'ers didn't want to change the world we just wanted to watch it burn.

Sometimes it feels like we got our wish but maybe not in the way we expected.

#21 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2024-02-11 08:25 AM | Reply