The Evolving Landscape of Political Robocall Scams Ahead of the General Election: TNS’ Latest Report
The 2024 US Presidential election is fast approaching, and with it comes a surge in political robocalls that are inundating Americans across the country. According to the latest Robocall Investigation Report from Transaction Network Services (TNS), over 16 billion political robocalls have been received since the start of the year, raising concerns about potential disinformation and scam risks for voters.
The report highlights the evolving landscape of political robocall scams, with deceptive tactics ranging from illegal donation requests to the use of generative AI for voice cloning deepfake robocalls. States like Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska have been hit the hardest, receiving the most political robocalls per capita.
Denny Randolph, President of TNS’ Communications Market business, emphasized the impact of bad actors on election outcomes and the targeting of voters with fundraising and donation scams. The emergence of generative AI poses a significant challenge for policymakers, regulators, and technology leaders to protect voters from misinformation and fraud.
One alarming example cited in the report is the use of AI deepfake technology to impersonate President Biden’s voice in robocalls, urging voters to stay home and not vote before the New Hampshire primary. This highlights the growing threat of AI-generated political misinformation ahead of the general election in November.
To combat these scams, the FCC has ruled voice cloning technology used in robocall scams as illegal. TNS has also launched AI Labs to research how AI can be leveraged to protect against future threats in the telecom industry.
Overall, the report underscores the need for vigilance and awareness among voters as they navigate the deluge of political robocalls leading up to the 2024 election. By staying informed and taking precautions, individuals can help mitigate the risks posed by these deceptive tactics.