Politics

FCC reviews petition to allow political robocalls generated by AI before midterms

Associated Press reports that the agency is reviewing a waiver request to permit automated campaign calls to mobile phones.

Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 22:13 UTC4 reports

The short version

The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing a petition from the Club for Growth to permit unsolicited political calls using artificial or prerecorded voices to mobile devices ahead of the midterms.[Associated Press]
The petitioner argues the waiver would improve voter outreach and modernize regulations, while consumer groups and Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez caution it could unleash misleading automated messages.[Associated Press]
If approved, callers would remain capped at three calls per recipient over 30 days and must provide opt-out options.[Associated Press]
The agency opened the request for public comment ending October 19 and could issue a ruling as soon as late October.[Associated Press]

The Club for Growth petitioned the FCC for a waiver permitting artificial intelligence-generated and prerecorded voices in unsolicited wireless calls prior to November's midterm elections.[Associated Press]
The Republican-led FCC advanced the waiver petition for public comment, which has a reply period ending on October 19.[Associated Press]
The commission could potentially issue a decision on the request as early as late October.[Associated Press]
Under the proposed conditions of the waiver, callers would be restricted to at most three calls within 30 days per individual and must include an opt-out option.[Associated Press]
Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat among the three active FCC commissioners, expressed opposition to the waiver request.[Associated Press]

Whether the FCC will approve the waiver request before the upcoming midterm elections remains undetermined.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.