UPDATE — AUGUST 2025: A New Hampshire jury has found political consultant Steven Kramer not guilty on all 22 felony charges tied to AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice ahead of the 2024 presidential primary. Prosecutors argued that the scheme aimed to suppress voter turnout, while Kramer testified that his actions were meant to warn the public about AI misuse in politics. Despite his acquittal, Kramer still faces a $6 million FCC fine issued in September 2024. Lingo Telecom, the carrier that transmitted the calls, previously reached a $1 million settlement for its role in the scheme.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
FCC and New Hampshire AG Take Action Against AI-Generated Robocalls in Voter Suppression Scheme
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reached a settlement with Lingo Telecom after investigators confirmed the company transmitted spoofed robocalls using AI-generated voice cloning technology during the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary. The calls, which featured a deepfake voice mimicking U.S. President Joe Biden, was part of a scheme orchestrated by political consultant Steven Kramer to mislead voters and suppress turnout. The settlement includes a $1 million civil penalty and imposes strict compliance measures on Lingo Telecom, marking the first instance of the FCC addressing election interference involving generative AI.
The robocalls were first reported on January 22, 2024, when New Hampshire’s Attorney General’s Office revealed that it was investigating complaints from thousands of residents who received the misleading messages. The calls urged recipients to “save [their] vote for the November election” and falsely claimed, “Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday,” leading voters to believe they should not participate in the Democratic presidential primary. The robocalls appeared to be spoofed to make it seem like they were sent by the treasurer of a political committee supporting Biden’s write-in campaign in the primary.
The Robocall Scheme and State Charges
The calls surfaced on January 22, 2024, after thousands of New Hampshire residents reported receiving misleading messages. These robocalls urged recipients to “save [their] vote for the November election,” suggesting they skip the Democratic presidential primary. Following an extensive state investigation, Attorney General John M. Formella’s Office charged Kramer with 13 felony counts of voter suppression and 13 misdemeanors for impersonating a candidate across four counties. Prosecutors allege that Kramer used artificial voice technology to mislead voters and conceal the true source of the messages.
Federal and State Coordination
Attorney General Formella said, “New Hampshire remains committed to ensuring that our elections are free from unlawful interference.” He noted that federal authorities, including the FCC, would pursue parallel enforcement. As a result, the FCC’s separate action against Kramer demonstrated close coordination between federal and state agencies to defend election integrity.
FCC Settlement and New Compliance Measures
The FCC’s settlement requires Lingo Telecom to comply with STIR/SHAKEN caller ID rules and adopt Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Upstream Provider (KYUP) principles. These safeguards help carriers verify the legitimacy of calls and prevent future misuse of AI in communications.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the need for transparency in political communications. “Every one of us deserves to know that the voice on the line is exactly who they claim to be. If AI is being used, that should be made clear to any consumer, citizen, and voter who encounters it. The FCC will act when trust in our communications networks is on the line.”
Broader Concerns About AI in Elections
The use of deepfake voice technology in this case highlights the growing threat of AI-driven voter manipulation. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division warned that “AI-enabled tactics, whether through robocalls or online misinformation, can create real barriers for voters seeking to exercise their voice.” As a result, the enforcement actions against Kramer and Lingo Telecom serve as a clear warning to those attempting to exploit generative AI for election interference. Federal and state authorities have vowed to remain vigilant to protect democratic institutions from technological deception.
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