Dubious Robocall Impersonating President Biden Surfaces in New Hampshire, Sparking Disinformation Concerns

Summary

New Hampshire has become the epicenter of a political firestorm following the emergence of a robocall, allegedly featuring an AI-generated imitation of President Joe Biden’s voice, urging voters to refrain from participating in the upcoming presidential primary. This perplexing call has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, prompting investigations into its authenticity and potential consequences.

Robocall Details

The robocall, circulating among New Hampshire voters, is characterized by a digitally altered voice resembling President Biden’s. The message urges recipients to withhold their votes in the primary election, emphasizing the importance of strategic voting. The voice claims that casting a ballot in the primary would empower Republicans and potentially pave the way for Donald Trump’s reelection.

Authentication and Response

The authenticity of the call has been met with skepticism. Anti-robocall applications have flagged it as potentially fraudulent, raising red flags about its legitimacy. The Write-In Biden group, advocating for write-in votes for President Biden in the primary, has condemned the robocall as deepfake disinformation aimed at suppressing votes and damaging democracy. Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, has referred the matter to the New Hampshire Attorney General and is considering additional legal actions to combat disinformation and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

New Hampshire Primary Context

The controversy surrounding the robocall is further compounded by the unique circumstances surrounding the New Hampshire primary. President Biden’s name will not appear on the Democratic primary ballot due to the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) decision to alter the primary schedule, depriving New Hampshire of its traditional status as the first presidential primary contest. This decision was made at President Biden’s request, and South Carolina became the first primary contest in the new schedule, a state where Biden had secured his first primary victory in previous presidential elections. In response to this change, over 100 New Hampshire Democratic leaders launched a campaign encouraging state Democrats to write-in Biden’s name on primary day, a permitted practice with historical precedent.

New Hampshire Justice Department Statement

The New Hampshire Justice Department has issued a statement acknowledging the robocall and its resemblance to President Biden’s voice. However, initial indications suggest that the message is artificially generated and appears to have been spoofed, making it seem like the call originated from a political committee supporting Biden’s write-in efforts. The department urged voters to disregard the robocall’s message and clarified that voting in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election does not preclude voters from participating in the November General Election. The department’s Election Law unit is actively investigating the matter.

Implications and Concerns

The emergence of this robocall has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising concerns about the potential manipulation of elections through deepfake technology and the spread of disinformation. Experts warn that such tactics could undermine public trust in the electoral process and sow confusion among voters.

Combating Disinformation

In the face of this growing threat, authorities are urged to swiftly investigate the source of the robocall and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for disseminating false information. Social media platforms and technology companies should implement robust measures to detect and remove deepfake content, preventing its spread and minimizing its impact on public discourse.

Voter Education

To counter the spread of disinformation, efforts should be made to educate voters about deepfake technology and its potential use as a tool for spreading disinformation. Public awareness campaigns can help individuals recognize and critically assess digital content, enabling them to distinguish genuine information from fabricated or manipulated material.

Conclusion

The robocall incident in New Hampshire serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing threat of deepfake disinformation in the political arena. By actively combating disinformation, promoting voter education, and holding those responsible accountable, we can safeguard the integrity of our democratic processes and protect the public’s right to make informed decisions based on accurate information. Together, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold the principles of truth and transparency in our democracy.