In an era where robocalls are not just frequent but increasingly sophisticated, Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen is taking legislative action. As reported by 25News, Sorensen recently reintroduced the QUIET Act, legislation intending to curb the tide of AI-driven scam calls that have become a bane to many. Under this act, callers would be legally bound to disclose the usage of AI-generated voices at the beginning of a call, and those employing AI for robocalls would face steep fines.
The bill, which didn't move past the committee last session, comes back with renewed vigor amidst growing concerns over the authenticity and safety of voice calls. Sorensen believes times have changed, and with the backing of constituents and cross-party support, the bill is poised to hopefully make it to the House floor this session. "We have to make sure we're one step ahead of scammers," Sorensen asserted in a virtual press conference, as he highlighted the penetration of scammers into private lives via telephone.
Down-to-earth experiences highlight the urgency of such legislation. Andrew Gay, a Rockford resident, conveyed to 13 WREX that he receives up to five scam calls in just an hour, finding his efforts to manage these interruptions increasingly frustrating. "It's probably 10 to 15 minutes a day just dealing with calls like that," Gay said, recounting an incident where scammers nearly tricked him into revealing his social security and bank account numbers.
According to 13 WREX, Sorensen is driven by personal connections to the issue, knowing firsthand how these scams can impact friends and family. "We all have senior citizens in our lives, and we want to protect them, and so the QUIET Act would protect them," he emphasized. The bill aims to not only notify recipients of an AI-powered robocall but also reflects a pressing need to combat digital impersonations and protect personal likenesses in the age of deepfakes.
While the journey of the QUIET Act in Congress remains to be seen, individuals like Gay offer practical advice to navigate the current landscape of robocalls. "If you don't recognize the number, don't answer it," he said. For truly important contacts, he suggests, "they'll leave a voicemail, and you can call them back." Staying vigilant and informed appears to be as ever an essential defense against the modern twist on an old nuisance.
