FCC Considers Waiver for AI Political Robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission is considering a petition from the Club for Growth to loosen restrictions on unsolicited political robocalls to cellphones, including those using AI-generated voices. Current federal law requires prior express consent for most robocalls to wireless devices, but the requested waiver would allow political groups to bypass this requirement.

The Club for Growth argues that the change would protect First Amendment speech, improve polling accuracy, and enhance multilingual voter outreach. If granted, the waiver would still require an opt-out mechanism and limit callers to three calls per recipient every 30 days.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and consumer advocacy groups, including the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Brennan Center for Justice, oppose the move. They warn that easing rules ahead of the November midterm elections could trigger a "tsunami of robocalls and misinformation." Critics specifically cite a 2024 incident involving an AI-generated voice of Joe Biden used to discourage voters in New Hampshire as evidence of the potential for deception.

The Republican-led agency has opened the request for public comment, with the period remaining open until October 19. A final decision is expected by late October.