Early this year, AI-powered fake audio of President Biden reached voters in New Hampshire. The FCC struck back swiftly, identifying the perpetrator as the Texas-based Life Corporation, which has been behind similar scams over the years, and whacked them and an associated individual with a $6 million fine. But the scammers also enlisted the help of a game, shape-shifting telecom that has previously been implicated in shady doings. Now Lingo Telecom, as it’s currently known (AKA Ameritel, Excel, Impact, Startec, Trinsic, etc.) will pay a $1 million civil penalty and agree to definitely follow the rules this time for sure, starting now.
Telecoms like Lingo are not supposed to enable scams by providing services to known bad operators. “Communications service providers are the first line of defense against these threats and will be held accountable,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
