Consumer Reports Finds AI Voice Cloning Lacks Safeguards, Calls for Stronger Protections
Consumer Reports (CR) has released a new assessment revealing that most AI voice cloning companies lack adequate safeguards against fraud and misuse. The study examined six major voice cloning products—Descript, ElevenLabs, Lovo, PlayHT, Resemble AI, and Speechify—finding that four out of six allowed voice cloning with minimal security measures.
Key Findings
- Easy Cloning: Researchers were able to create voice clones using publicly available audio in four of the six products.
- Minimal Verification: Most companies only required users to check a box claiming they had the legal right to clone a voice.
- Lax Account Creation: Four of the six services allowed account creation with just a name and email.
CR recognizes legitimate uses for AI-generated voices, such as narration and movie dubbing, but warns that weak security makes it easy for scammers to exploit the technology. Examples include impersonation scams, fraudulent endorsements, and AI-generated deepfake schemes.
CR’s Recommendations for AI Voice Cloning Companies
- Require users to upload a unique script read by the speaker to confirm consent.
- Implement stricter account creation processes, including credit card verification.
- Watermark AI-generated audio to distinguish it from real recordings.
- Provide detection tools to identify whether audio was generated by their software.
Policy Recommendations
Consumer Reports is calling for government intervention, urging Congress to expand the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) powers and provide more resources. They also encourage state attorneys general to investigate whether these tools violate consumer protection laws and support legislation to regulate AI voice cloning.
Protecting Yourself from AI Voice Cloning Scams
While waiting for stronger regulations, CR suggests individuals take precautions:
- Use family passwords: In cases like AI-generated “grandparent scams,” a pre-established secret phrase can verify a real family member.
- Be skeptical of celebrity endorsements: CR warns that if Tom Hanks or Kylie Jenner appears in an online ad promoting a “miracle cure” or giveaway, it’s likely fake.
Lee Enterprises Cyberattack Update: Recovery Underway, But Challenges Persist
Lee Enterprises, the newspaper publishing giant, continues to grapple with the aftermath of a significant cyberattack that has disrupted its operations across 24 states. Since the attack was first disclosed on The Checklist podcast in late February, the company has faced extensive challenges, including halted printing processes, website outages, and delayed payments.
Cyberattack Impact and Recovery
Lee Enterprises, which publishes over 400 newspapers nationwide, revealed that the cyberattack, which began in late January, affected more than 70 of its publications. The disruption impacted everything from physical newspaper printing to online subscription systems. One contractor for a Lee-owned property claimed that despite providing services, they had not been paid a month after the attack.
This week, Lee reported that the cybersecurity threat has been “contained,” though recovery efforts are ongoing. The company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explain that it was working with third-party security vendors to restore automated business processes. While production of newspapers has resumed, some limitations remain due to tight schedules, and back-office functions like billing and payments are still delayed. Lee anticipates full restoration in the coming weeks.
Uncertainty Around Data Breach
Despite the containment of the threat, Lee Enterprises remains uncertain whether personal data was compromised during the attack. The company stated it expects to provide a definitive answer in the coming weeks.
Financial Relief Amid Recovery
\In a positive development, Lee’s lender agreed to waive $3.7 million in interest payments due this month to help fund the ongoing remediation efforts. However, recovery from the cyberattack remains slow, and some Lee-owned publications, such as The Daily Nonpareil in Iowa, continue to display messages indicating maintenance on their websites.
Consumer Caution
While Lee Enterprises works to resolve the situation, caution is advised. As some services remain affected, the company’s E-Edition offer appears in the midst of these unresolved issues, raising concerns about the security of subscription services.
