Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) along with Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) introduced the bipartisan Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications (QUIET) Act, which requires robocallers to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) technology is used and increases penalties for violators who use AI to impersonate individuals.
“These scammers are getting better at tricking seniors and working families into handing over billions of dollars in theft each year,” said Sorensen. “My QUIET Act cracks down on bad actors using technology to impersonate human voices, so we can better protect our neighbors and loved ones. To keep Americans safe, we need to stay one step ahead of these criminals.”
“With the advancement of technology, robocalls have turned from an occasional nuisance to a tool utilized by bad actors looking to defraud Arizonans,” said Ciscomani. “Now, with the integration of AI, they have the power to be more deceptive than ever. I’m proud to be partnering with Congressman Sorensen on the QUIET Act to cut down on fraudulent robocalls and protect our communities from malicious scams like these.”
“I’m grateful for Rep. Sorensen’s work to crack down on illegal robocallers and scammers using artificial intelligence to emulate a person — a reprehensible use of this technology that often targets older Americans who are vulnerable to these kinds of scams,” said House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-06). “Americans are fed up with receiving these non-stop calls and texts, and I look forward to our work ahead to get this bill signed into law.”
The QUIET Act will also increase penalties for violators who use AI to impersonate individuals or entities with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. This would build on the TRACED Act, which was passed and signed into law in 2019.
The bill is being introduced as a part of a larger package sponsored by House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone called the Do Not Disturb Act, comprehensive legislation to protect consumers from the bombardment of dangerous and unwanted calls and texts.
Since entering Congress, Sorensen has made ending scam robocalls and robotexts a top priority. In June of 2023, Sorensen led 35 of his colleagues in requesting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provide plans to address scam robocalls and texts, which heavily target seniors.
Read the full text of the bill here.
***Courtesy of Congressman Eric Sorensen***
