Robocalls Are Targeting Telecoms: How to Protect Your Network and Customers Before It’s Too Late

A wake-up call for telecoms: the recent FCC fine against a telecom company for failing to prevent AI-generated Biden robocalls has highlighted a growing concern in the industry: the rapid evolution of AI-driven threats. As voice cloning technology advances, telecom companies are increasingly vulnerable to synthetic audio attacks, which can easily deceive customers and bypass traditional security measures. The implications are severe—financial penalties and damage to reputation and customer trust.

The Escalating Threat of Synthetic Audio

Robocalls are nothing new, with over 55 billion occurring in the US alone last year. However, the nature of these calls is evolving. Generative AI deepfake audio, which can perfectly mimic a human voice, is becoming more common. Unlike earlier iterations of synthetic speech, these deepfakes are nearly indistinguishable to the human ear, making them a potent tool for fraud and misinformation.

The Biden robocall incident serves as a chilling example of this threat in action. Had the telecom company in question employed advanced detection technology, the outcome could have been very different. The first test that must be applied to every call is simple yet crucial: Is the call authentic, or is it synthetic? Unfortunately, many in the industry are not yet equipped to answer this question reliably.

The Mandatory First Line of Defense: Real-Time Voice Authentication

In this new landscape, the ability to distinguish between authentic and synthetic calls in real-time has become the first and most critical line of defense. Telecom companies can no longer rely solely on traditional methods to protect their networks. The stakes are too high, and the threats too sophisticated.

ValidSoft’s Voice Verity™ offers a proven solution. Our patented technology is specifically designed to detect all known forms of synthetically generated speech, including deepfake audio. Whether in real-time or batch processing, Voice Verity™ can accurately identify and block these threats before they reach customers.

How ValidSoft Could Have Prevented the Biden Robocall Incident

The Biden deepfake robocall incident, where AI was used to create a fake message purportedly from a prominent political figure, could have been thwarted with the right technology in place. ValidSoft was the first to publicly identify and analyze this deepfake, showcasing our capability to counter such advanced threats. Our technology doesn’t just react to incidents; it prevents them from occurring in the first place.

By integrating Voice Verity™ into their networks, telecom companies can ensure that every call is scrutinized, with any synthetic audio flagged and dealt with immediately. This not only protects the company from regulatory penalties but also preserves customer trust—a critical asset in today’s competitive market.

The Path Forward for Telecoms

The message is clear: Telecom companies must take proactive steps to protect their networks from the growing threat of AI-generated fraud. The technology is available today, and implementing it is not just a defensive measure—it’s a strategic advantage. As AI continues to evolve, so too must the security measures we employ to safeguard against it.

ValidSoft’s Voice Verity™ provides telecoms with the tools they need to meet this challenge head-on. By detecting synthetic audio in real-time, our solution ensures that customers remain safe and that the integrity of the voice channel is maintained.

In an era where misinformation and digital threats are on the rise, the ability to secure the voice channel is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Telecom companies that fail to act may find themselves not only outmaneuvered by fraudsters but also facing serious consequences from regulators and losing the trust of their customers.