H.R.1027 - Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications Act; QUIET Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1027, the QUIET Act, aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to address robocalls using artificial intelligence (AI). It mandates disclosures for robocalls that use AI to emulate human beings. The bill also introduces enhanced penalties for violations involving AI voice or text message impersonation with the intent to defraud or cause harm.
Expected Effects
The QUIET Act will likely reduce the prevalence of deceptive robocalls that use AI to impersonate individuals or entities. It will also increase the financial and criminal penalties for those who violate the Communications Act by using AI for malicious purposes. Ultimately, this could lead to increased consumer protection and reduced fraud.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Fraud: By requiring disclosure of AI use in robocalls and increasing penalties for AI-driven impersonation, the bill aims to decrease fraudulent schemes.
- Increased Transparency: Mandating disclosure of AI use in robocalls will provide consumers with more information about the nature of the calls they receive.
- Consumer Protection: The bill offers enhanced protection against unwanted and potentially harmful automated communications.
- Deterrent Effect: Enhanced penalties may deter individuals and entities from engaging in illegal robocall activities using AI.
- Modernization of Communications Act: Updates the Communications Act of 1934 to address emerging technologies like AI.
Potential Disadvantages
- Enforcement Challenges: Effectively enforcing the disclosure requirements and enhanced penalties may prove difficult, requiring significant resources and technical expertise.
- Potential for Evasion: Robocallers may find ways to circumvent the disclosure requirements or mask their use of AI.
- Unintended Consequences: The definition of 'robocall' and 'text message' might inadvertently capture legitimate uses of automated communication.
- Increased Costs: Businesses that use AI in legitimate automated communications may face increased compliance costs.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses specifically on AI-driven robocalls and may not address other forms of unwanted communication.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the Constitution by seeking to protect citizens from fraud and harm, promoting the general welfare. While the Constitution does not explicitly address telecommunications, Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for regulating robocalls that cross state lines. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, but this protection does not extend to fraudulent or deceptive speech, so the restrictions imposed by the QUIET Act are likely constitutional.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).