The FCC Declaratory Ruling on AI-generated voices (FCC 24-17) confirmed in February 2024 that AI-generated voices fall within the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s prohibition on “artificial or prerecorded voice” calls. The ruling brought voice cloning, synthetic voice, and other AI voice technologies under existing TCPA rules effective immediately, requiring prior express consent for any AI voice call.

• All AI-generated and AI-cloned voices used in calls or text messages to US residential or mobile lines
• Both real-time AI voice agents and prerecorded synthetic voice messages
• Voice cloning, voice deepfakes, and synthetic voice used in commercial, political, or fraudulent contexts

• Prior express consent required from each called party before initiating an AI voice call
• Civil penalties under the TCPA, with private right of action available to consumers (statutory damages up to $1,500 per willful violation)
• State attorneys general have parallel enforcement authority via FCC partnerships in 48 states
• Triggered enforcement after the January 2024 fake Biden voice clone primary call in New Hampshire