Political consultant Steven Kramer, known for commissioning a deepfake robocall impersonating US President Joe Biden, has now been indicted on charges of felony voter suppression and misdemeanor impersonation of a candidate. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined Kramer a whopping $6 million for his involvement in the creation and dissemination of the controversial robocall.
According to reports, Kramer paid $150 for the deepfake call, which urged individuals not to participate in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire. He admitted to writing the script for the call and then employing AI technology to replicate the president’s voice. Subsequently, a telemarketing firm was hired to deliver the fabricated message to voters via phone call.
Kramer’s motive behind the deceptive robocall was to suppress voter turnout among Biden supporters and increase the chances of Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) challenging Biden for the presidential nomination in New Hampshire. Despite facing multiple investigations as a result of his actions, Kramer remains unapologetic, emphasizing that he had a clear purpose behind the scheme.
In an interview with NBC News, Kramer stated, “I’m not afraid to testify, I know why I did everything. If a House oversight committee wants me to testify, I’m going to demand they put it on TV because I know more than them.” He justified his behavior as a form of “civil disobedience” aimed at highlighting the potential risks associated with AI manipulation in politics.
Kramer also disclosed that his plan was to draw attention to the inadequacies in enforcing regulations related to such activities and prevent others from replicating his actions. Despite claiming to have acted independently, campaign finance reports revealed that Rep. Phillips had paid Kramer over $250,000 around the time of the robocall incident.
“This is a way for me to make a difference, and I have,” Kramer asserted. “For $500, I got about $5 million worth of action, whether that be media attention or regulatory action.” His remarks indicate a strong belief in the impact of his controversial tactics on the political landscape.
In addition to his substantial fine, the FCC has also proposed a $2 million penalty for Lingo Telecom, the voice service provider involved in transmitting the misleading calls. The company has been held accountable for improperly labeling the calls and failing to comply with regulations related to such communications.
Overall, the repercussions of Steven Kramer’s involvement in the deepfake robocall scheme serve as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of using deceptive tactics in the political arena. The incident sheds light on the challenges posed by technological advancements like AI and underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in political communication to preserve the integrity of democratic processes.