FCC commissioner urges rejection of AI political robocall petition
Anna Gomez says removing consent rules could increase unwanted calls and misinformation. The FCC has yet to decide on the request.
Federal Communications Commission commissioner Anna Gomez has urged the agency to reject a petition that would let political groups make AI-generated robocalls without recipients’ prior consent, warning of risks ahead of the US midterm elections in early November.
The petition was filed on 31 August by Club for Growth. It proposes capping calls at three per person over 30 days and giving recipients an option to opt out. Those terms remain a request, not an approved policy.
Gomez told The Associated Press that removing the FCC’s consent requirement could lead to more unwanted robocalls and misinformation. She also warned Reuters that allowing the calls could bring “chaos” close to Election Day.
The FCC prohibits robocalls to mobile phones and pagers without prior express consent, while calls to landlines are permitted. In 2024, the agency banned AI-generated voices in robocalls.
The petition’s public comment period began on 4 September and closed on Monday. Responses are due on 19 October, and the FCC has not decided whether to approve the request.
The debate follows a 2024 New Hampshire primary robocall using an AI-generated voice resembling then-President Joe Biden to tell voters not to vote. The FCC attributed the call to political consultant Steve Kramer, who was later acquitted of voter suppression charges.
