Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (13 Jul 2023): Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
What this bill does
This bill, the Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act, would make it illegal to distribute certain paid political advertisements that use artificial intelligence to create audio that sounds like a candidate's voice. Specifically, it would prohibit distributing such content if it is materially deceptive, made with actual malice, intended to harm the candidate's reputation or deceive voters, and released within 60 or 90 days of an election. The bill exempts entities like broadcasters when airing news or satire, and requires the Federal Election Commission to create rules and report on enforcement.
This legislation affects individuals, political committees, and other entities involved in political communications. Violators could face criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment of up to two years. The bill also establishes a definition for "materially deceptive audio," which includes AI-generated voice impersonations that aren't pre-approved by the candidate and lack a clear disclaimer.
H.R. 4611 was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 13, 2023, and has not yet progressed beyond its introduction. If passed by the House, it would then move to the Senate for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act
This bill prohibits the distribution of certain paid-for political communications that contain materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate's voice. It also establishes criminal penalties for related violations.
The bill generally prohibits individuals, political committees, and other entities from distributing such a communication if the communication (1) contains materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate’s voice, (2) is distributed with actual malice, (3) is intended to injure the candidate’s reputation or to deceive a voter into voting against the candidate, and (4) is distributed within 60 or 90 days of an election (depending on the type of election). This prohibition does not apply to certain entities, such as radio or television broadcasting stations that broadcast the deceptive audio as part of a bona fide newscast.
Additionally, the bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate's voice. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to two years in prison, or both.
The bill requires the Federal Election Commission to (1) promulgate regulations related to this bill, and (2) report to Congress on matters relating to compliance with and enforcement of this bill and recommendations to ensure compliance with this bill.
Timeline
13 Jul 2023
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4611 do?
- This bill, the Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act, would make it illegal to distribute certain paid political advertisements that use artificial intelligence to create audio that sounds like a candidate's voice. Specifically, it would prohibit distributing such content if it is materially deceptive, made with actual malice, intended to harm the candidate's reputation or deceive voters, and released within 60 or 90 days of an election. The bill exempts entities like broadcasters when airing news or satire, and requires the Federal Election Commission to create rules and report on enforcement. This legislation affects individuals, political committees, and other entities involved in political communications. Violators could face criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment of up to two years. The bill also establishes a definition for "materially deceptive audio," which includes AI-generated voice impersonations that aren't pre-approved by the candidate and lack a clear disclaimer. H.R. 4611 was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 13, 2023, and has not yet progressed beyond its introduction. If passed by the House, it would then move to the Senate for consideration.
- Has H.R. 4611 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4611. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4611?
- H.R. 4611 was sponsored by Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] (D-NY), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4611?
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. (13 Jul 2023).
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