President Joe Biden has taken several actions aimed at protecting consumers from scammers and reducing the impact of corporate practices that could be considered deceptive or overly burdensome:
– **Junk Fee Prevention**: Biden has called for the passage of the Junk Fee Prevention Act, which targets hidden fees across various industries like hotels, airlines, cable, internet, and ticket sales. This legislation aims to make pricing more transparent, preventing companies from tacking on unexpected charges at the point of sale or during service.
– **Crackdown on AI-Generated Robocalls**: Following an incident where AI-generated robocalls mimicked Biden’s voice to mislead voters, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under Biden’s administration, has banned robocalls that use AI-generated voices. This action was taken under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, making it illegal to use AI for such deceptive practices without prior consent, thereby enhancing consumer protection against voice cloning scams.
– **General Consumer Protection Initiatives**: There have been broader policy announcements aimed at reducing what Biden refers to as “headaches and hassles” that waste Americans’ time and money. These include measures to streamline customer service, reduce wait times, and simplify paperwork, indicating a holistic approach to consumer protection beyond just financial scams.
– **Fraud Prevention During the Pandemic**: Earlier actions included efforts to track down and punish fraudsters who scammed billions intended for COVID-19 relief, showcasing an administration focus on protecting consumers from large-scale fraud, especially in times of crisis.
These actions reflect Biden’s administration’s commitment to consumer protection by addressing both technological threats like AI-driven scams and more traditional consumer grievances like hidden fees and poor customer service practices. The moves are part of a broader narrative of fighting for the average American against what’s perceived as corporate overreach or exploitation. However, the effectiveness and the full scope of these policies, especially in terms of enforcement and consumer impact, are still unfolding and would require ongoing observation and analysis.
