Robocall Scandal: Deepfake Biden Voice Used to Deter New Hampshire Primary Voters
Residents in New Hampshire are being targeted by a disturbing robocall that utilizes AI technology to deepfake President Biden’s voice. The fraudulent call is aimed at discouraging voters from participating in the upcoming New Hampshire primary, falsely claiming that their vote on Tuesday will prevent them from casting a ballot in the general election.
The robocall, which has been obtained by NBC News, features a fabricated message that begins with the phrase, What a bunch of malarkey, in Biden’s voice. It then goes on to mislead recipients, suggesting that voting in the primary will hinder Democratic candidates and enable the Republicans to secure another term for Donald Trump. The call falsely asserts that voters should save their votes for the November election instead.
Authorities in New Hampshire, including the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Justice, are taking action to address this fraudulent activity. The New Hampshire Attorney General, John M. Formella, has advised residents to disregard the robocall and emphasized that it appears to be artificially generated using voice cloning software.
Additionally, the robocall has been spoofed to make it appear as if it originates from a political committee supporting Biden’s re-election campaign. As a result, the local election law unit of the state’s Department of Justice has launched an investigation to uncover the individuals responsible for this deceitful act.
The scale of the robocall’s reach and the identity of its orchestrators remain unclear. However, security researchers have long cautioned about the potential for AI-powered scams facilitated by voice-cloning technology. The robocall featuring a deepfake of Biden’s voice has intensified calls for stricter regulations governing AI software.
The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen highlighted the dangers of unchecked AI power, proclaiming, This is what happens when AI’s power goes unchecked. If we don’t regulate it, our democracy is doomed.
Despite the robocall’s attempt to dissuade voters, it’s important to note that Joe Biden’s name isn’t on the ballot for Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. Democrats have chosen to kick off their primary season in South Carolina. Nevertheless, supporters of Biden in New Hampshire have launched a write-in campaign to demonstrate their backing for the candidate.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with AI technology. As deepfake capabilities continue to advance, it becomes increasingly urgent to develop regulations that protect individuals from manipulation and exploitation. The use of AI in deceiving voters poses a significant threat to the integrity of democratic processes.
Efforts to combat the misuse of AI must be coupled with education and awareness, ensuring that citizens are equipped to identify and respond to these deepfake attempts. As investigations into this robocall continue, the need for safeguarding democracy from AI-driven scams remains at the forefront of public concerns.
