Blumenthal Backs Legislation Targeting AI-Driven Robocalls

HARTFORD, CT — Nothing unites political adversaries quite like having their quiet time shattered by annoying robocalls.

In response to an estimated 53 billion automated phone calls and text messages being sent to Americans each year — an average of about 200 per adult — Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced Monday he is cosponsoring HR 1027, the Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications (QUIET) Act.

“The number is increasing,” Blumenthal said. “In the January to September period of this year, an average of 2.56 billion calls a month as compared to 2.14 billion in the same period in 2024.”

Criminals can use these automated robocalls and texts to steal from older Americans, who are disproportionately targeted, Blumenthal said.

Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut, called the AI-driven calls the natural evolution of the so-called grandparent scams. Those calls targeted older residents with fake claims that their grandchildren were hospitalized or jailed or stranded somewhere and in need of money.

“Now, it’s practically having a conversation with your grandchild on that call and it’s an AI-generated fake,” she said. “That kind of technology has advanced so much in recent years that it’s super concerning to adults age 50 plus.”

According to Duncan, an AARP survey showed 95% of adults 50+ had received a scam robocall in the past year, and about 40% reported receiving such calls daily or almost daily.

The bipartisan bill was initiated by then Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, who is now serving in the Senate. The legislation would require robocallers to notify consumers when AI is being used in calls and messages and increase penalties for anyone using AI to impersonate others with intent to defraud. An estimated 88% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats support it, Duncan said.

Still, the very nature of scammers makes the legislation difficult to enforce, although Blumenthal said the notification requirement would make it clearer to robocall recipients that the call they are receiving is likely a scam since a scammer presumably would not include the disclaimer.

“Enforcement would involve cracking down on robocalls that use AI because the chances are that they won’t disclose that they are,” he said. “And the telephone companies would be required to provide information to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) about the companies that are failing to disclose.”