Just In News | The Hill
Technology
Technology
<!–
The Big Story
Fake Biden robocall spreads in New Hampshire
A robocall that appears to be an artificially generated version of President Biden’s voice encouraged voters in New Hampshire not to cast ballots during Tuesday’s primary, the state confirmed Monday.
© Greg Nash, The Hill
The call highlights ongoing concerns that advocates and some lawmakers have raised about how artificial intelligence (AI) may amplify the spread of election misinformation.
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office said it received complaints about the recorded message that “sounds like the voice of President Biden” but “appears to be artificially generated based on initial indications.”
The attorney general’s office said the call appears to be an unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire presidential primary election, and encouraged voters to “disregard the content of this message entirely and to send the state information about the call if they received it.”
The organizers behind the campaign to write in Biden’s name in the primary also blasted the robocall. The call was first reported by NBC News.
“This is deep fake disinformation designed to harm Joe Biden, suppress votes, and damage our democracy,” Aaron Jacobs, a spokesperson for the write-in campaign, said in a statement to The Hill.
Jacobs said the call was referred to police so they can determine who was responsible, our colleague Brett Samuels reported.
Public Citizen President Robert Weissman said in a statement the “New Hampshire deepfake is a reminder of the many ways that deepfakes can sow confusion and perpetuate fraud.”
Public Citizen has been leading an effort to push the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to update its rules to address AI in campaign content.
“Unfortunately, the Federal Election Commission is slow-walking the issue – though it’s not too late for the agency to issue needed rules. Congress must act, and there is strong bipartisan support for action, but it would be foolish to bet on congressional action.”
In August, the FEC voted to open a public comment session on a rule clarification that would address the use of AI in campaigns. The public comment period ended in October, but the commission has yet to issue an update.
FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey (R) told The Washington Post last week the commission “will resolve the AI rulemaking by early summer.”
Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Rebecca Klar and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.
Essential Reads
How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Meta executives Monday expressing her concerns with recent filings related to digital assets services. In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Javier Olivan, Waters said she was concerned about the “filing status of five trademark applications related to various digital assets services and blockchain technology” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). …
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) on Monday denounced an AI-generated robocall in New Hampshire on that impersonated President Biden and encouraged voters not to cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary. The Democratic presidential candidate called the robocall “wrong” and said the incident highlights the need for regulating artificial intelligence. “Artificial Intelligence, already surrounding us. It is coming at us like a freight train,” …
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled Monday that the maker of TurboTax is deceiving customers when it claims a version of its online tax filing software is free, when most customers would have to pay for it. The FTC’s opinion states that Intuit’s TurboTax Free Edition, marketed as a stripped-down version of its paid software meant for customers with simple returns, isn’t as free as the company claims. “Respondent’s claims …
The Refresh
News we’ve flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics:
Apple adds new protection for stolen devices
Apple has released a new security update for iPhones that aims to prevent thieves from gaining access to users’ personal data by requiring additional steps to access sensitive information, CNN reported.
Parents urge TikTok to label AI influencers
More than 12,000 parents have signed an online petition calling on TikTok to more clearly label AI-generated influencers, who they worry may contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and body dysmorphia in children, NBC News reported.
On Our Radar
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
In Other News
Branch out with other reads on The Hill:
Appeals court reverses judge’s ruling, orders appointment of independent examiner in FTX bankruptcy
DOVER, Del. (AP) — A federal appeals court has ordered the appointment of an independent examiner in the bankruptcy case of FTX amid concerns about widespread fraud preceding the collapse of the multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency exchange. A three-judge panel in Philadelphia issued the ruling Friday …
BOSTON (AP) — State-backed Russian hackers broke into Microsoft’s corporate email system and accessed the accounts of members of the company’s leadership team, as well as those of employees on its cybersecurity and legal teams, the company said Friday. In a blog post, Microsoft said the …
What Others are Reading
Two key stories on The Hill right now:
NEW YORK — Former President Trump’s defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll won’t resume until Wednesday morning, according to a court spokesperson, … Read more
Former President Trump will be joined by three of his primary rivals-turned-supporters at a rally on the eve of New Hampshire’s primary contest. … Read more
What Others are Reading
Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill:
State and local meddling threatens to undermine the AI revolution
You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!
Technology, Newsletters, AI, Artificial Intelligence, New Hampshire, President Biden, Primary, robocall Read More
Author Profile
Latest entries
ScienceOctober 24, 2024Brain difference tied to autism found in living people for 1st time
HeadlinesOctober 24, 2024Homemade meal sends dozens of Maryland employees to the hospital
ScienceOctober 23, 2024Older adults keep their cool in hot weather
HeadlinesOctober 23, 2024'Bold vision': Historic Bush Cabinet secretary makes key endorsement in 2024 presidential race