The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently fined Steve Kramer for making thousands of robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden. Bloomberg reported on September 26th that the fine comes to a total of $6 million.
According to the FCC, Kramer has been operating a massive robocalling campaign, using automated dialing systems to make more than 4,000 calls a day. These calls, which were made on behalf of Kramer’s political consulting firm, used pre-recorded messages featuring a voice that sounded like President Biden. The messages were mainly targeted at people in swing states, with the intention of influencing their votes in the upcoming election.
This is not the first time Kramer has been in trouble with the FCC. In 2016, he was fined $2.96 million for similar robocalling activities during the presidential election. He was also fined $5.2 million in 2018 for another campaign that involved more than 47 million illegal robocalls.
The FCC’s investigation into Kramer’s recent robocalling campaign was launched after receiving numerous complaints from people who received the automated calls. These complaints not only highlighted the annoyance of receiving unwanted calls, but also expressed concern about the use of a fake voice of the President to spread political messages.
The fine imposed by the FCC on Kramer is believed to be one of the largest in the agency’s history for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Federal Wire Fraud Act. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated, «This fine sends a strong message that illegal robocalling and voice impersonation will not be tolerated.»
In addition to the hefty fine, Kramer has also been issued a cease-and-desist order, preventing him from making any more robocalls or using a fake voice to mislead or deceive people.
The FCC’s swift action against Kramer sends a clear message that the agency is actively cracking down on illegal robocalling activities. This is especially significant in light of the upcoming presidential election, where robocalls have become a common tactic used by some political campaigns.
Robocalls, while not illegal in themselves, become a violation when they use pre-recorded messages without the receiver’s consent. In this case, the use of a fake voice further adds to the violation and raises concerns about the spread of misinformation.
The FCC’s efforts to combat illegal robocalling have been ongoing for years, and this recent fine serves as a warning to others who engage in similar activities. The agency has also encouraged people to report any suspicious or illegal robocalls they receive.
The issue of robocalls has been a persistent problem in the United States, with an estimated 4.6 billion robocalls made in the country in September alone. These unsolicited and often fraudulent calls not only disrupt people’s daily lives, but also pose a threat to their financial security.
The FCC has been working to combat this issue through various initiatives, such as implementing stricter rules for telemarketers, working with phone companies to develop call-blocking technology, and issuing fines to violators. However, the battle against illegal robocalls continues, and the agency is continuously seeking new ways to protect consumers.
In conclusion, the FCC’s fine of $6 million on Steve Kramer for making thousands of robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden serves as a reminder that such illegal activities will not be tolerated. The agency’s swift action shows its dedication to protecting consumers from unwanted calls and misinformation, and serves as a warning to others who engage in similar practices. The use of robocalls in political campaigns is a concerning issue, particularly in the upcoming election, and the FCC is working diligently to address this problem and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
