The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has unveiled new measures to combat AI impersonation, seeking public comment on the proposed rule changes. The FTC aims to expand the existing ban on the impersonation of government and businesses to include a prohibition on impersonating individuals.
In light of the increasing use of AI tools by fraudsters to mimic individuals with alarming accuracy, the FTC believes it is crucial to address the growing threat of impersonator fraud. The commission is particularly concerned about the rise of voice cloning and other AI-driven scams that can deceive consumers on a larger scale.
With the surge in complaints related to impersonation fraud and the negative impact on both consumers and impersonated individuals, the FTC is determined to use all available tools to detect, deter, and stop such fraudulent activities. The proposed rule changes are designed to address the evolving tactics used by scammers, including the use of AI-generated deepfakes.
The FTC is now seeking public input on whether the revised rule should include provisions specifically targeting the use of AI platforms for impersonation. The commission emphasizes the importance of preventing fraud and securing redress for affected consumers in the face of emerging technologies that pose new challenges in combating impersonation fraud.
In recent years, impersonation fraud involving government and businesses has resulted in significant financial losses for consumers, with billions of dollars being lost due to such scams. The FTC notes that deepfake technology has raised concerns, as seen in a recent robocall impersonating President Joe Biden to deter voters in New Hampshire.
To address the deceptive use of AI technology in areas such as political campaigns and elections, several technology companies have joined forces to combat deepfakes. These companies have pledged to scrutinize deepfakes of political candidates, election officials, and other key figures to prevent misinformation and fraud in future elections.
The FTC’s efforts to combat AI impersonation underscore the need for regulatory action to protect consumers from increasingly sophisticated scams. By expanding the scope of the rule to include a ban on impersonating individuals, the FTC aims to stay ahead of evolving technologies and address the growing threat of impersonator fraud effectively.
