Cellphone users could receive political calls in AI-generated voices without prior consent under a proposal that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged U.S. regulators to reject, The Independent reported.
According to The Independent, conservative group Club for Growth asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit political calls to cellphones using recorded or artificial voices without recipients’ advance permission. The request includes AI-generated speech.
Club for Growth President David McIntosh argued that political speech should receive treatment comparable to wireless notices about deliveries, bank accounts and medical appointments, the outlet reported. The Independent also reported that Schumer warned campaigns could imitate opponents’ voices to spread false messages.
The group plans to spend $175 million in the congressional elections, The Independent said, citing its website. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and several public interest groups also oppose the petition, according to the report.
Schumer cited a 2024 case in which the FCC proposed a $6 million fine against a political consultant over calls that imitated then-President Joe Biden and urged New Hampshire voters not to vote in the state’s Democratic presidential primary, The Independent reported.
The Independent identified Oct. 19 as the deadline for comments on Club for Growth’s petition and said the FCC could act within days. U.S. congressional elections are scheduled for Nov. 3.
