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A scourge of robocalls that urges Americans to “stay safe and stay home” has gotten the eye of the FBI and the New York Attorney General over issues of voter suppression.
The transient message, which doesn’t particularly point out Election Day, has prompted New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch an investigation into the matter. James introduced Tuesday that her workplace is actively investigating allegations that voters are receiving the robocalls.
“Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy,” James stated in an announcement Tuesday. “Attempts to hinder voters from exercising their right to cast their ballots are disheartening, disturbing and wrong.”
James added that such calls are unlawful and won’t be tolerated.
The FBI advised TechCrunch that the company is conscious of reviews of robocalls. The company wouldn’t say whether it is investigating the robocalls; nonetheless, a senior official on the Department of Homeland Security advised reporters Tuesday that the FBI was investigating calls that search to discourage individuals from voting, in accordance with the AP.
“As a reminder, the FBI encourages the American public to verify any election and voting information they may receive through their local election officials,” the FBI stated in an announcement despatched to TechCrunch.
The announcement from James follows subpoenas issued earlier this week by the New York AG workplace to research the supply of those robocalls allegedly spreading disinformation. New York voters who obtain regarding disinformation, or face points on the polls can contact her workplace’s Election Protection Hotline at 1-800-771-7755.
“Every voter must be able to exercise their fundamental right to vote without being harassed, coerced, or intimidated. Our nation has a legacy of free and fair elections, and this election will be no different,” James added. “Voters should rest assured that voting is safe and secure, and they should exercise their fundamental right to vote in confidence. We, along with state leaders across the nation, are working hard to protecting your right to vote, and anyone who tries to hinder that right will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice introduced that an interagency working group convened by Attorney General William P. Barr launched a report back to Congress on efforts to cease unlawful robocalls. The report described efforts by the DOJ, together with two civil actions filed in January 2020 in opposition to U.S.-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) firms, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to fight unlawful robocalls. Despite these efforts, and even proof of some declines in robocalls for a time, the presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a spike in calls.
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