"This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement"
Comments due: October 10, 2024
Reply comments due: October 25, 2024
On September 10, 2024, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated robocall rules. Specifically, the Public Notice announces the comment dates associated with the recent August 7, 2024, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the following:
- the definition of AI-generated calls,
- requiring callers to disclose their use of AI-generated calls,
- supporting technologies that alert and protect consumers from unwanted and illegal AI robocalls, and
- protecting positive uses of AI to improve access to the telephone network for people with disabilities.
For people with disabilities, the item proposes that people with hearing and speech disabilities would be exempt from consent or identification requirements when using an AI-generated voice to communicate during an outbound telephone call as long as the call does not contain any unsolicited advertisement. The item seeks comment on whether such an exemption would be subject to abuse by scammers. The item also seeks comment on whether there are other types of disabilities that should be included for the exemption. Finally, the item seeks comment on the FCC’s tentative decision not to establish a numerical limit on the number of calls by people with disabilities using AI-generated voices.
As an alternative to the proposed exemption, the item seeks comment on whether there is a way to define the terms “artificial or prerecorded voice” in a way that excludes technologies used by people with disabilities from the scope of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) so that an exemption is not necessary, and TCPA’s restrictions will not interfere with the ability of people with disabilities to use the telephone network.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 23-362. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/cgb-announces-comment-dates-tcpa-ai-npr-and-noi
Link to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-first-ai-generated-robocall-robotext-rules-0
For general information about robocalls and robotexts, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/spoofed-robocalls. For specific information about the TCPA AI Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry, contact Richard D. Smith or Noah Cherry of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at Richard.Smith@fcc.gov or Noah.Cherry@fcc.gov, respectively. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).