AI startup ElevenLabs bans account blamed for Biden audio deepfake

The fake robocall of Biden urging people to save their votes for the US elections in November has alarmed disinformation experts and elections officials alike. — AFP

The creator of an audio deepfake of US President Joe Biden urging people not to vote in last week’s New Hampshire primary has been suspended by ElevenLabs, according to a person familiar with the matter. ElevenLabs’ technology was used to make the deepfake audio, according to Pindrop Security Inc, a voice-fraud detection company that analyzed it.

ElevenLabs was made aware of Pindrop’s findings and is investigating, the person said. Once the deepfake was traced to its creator, that user’s account was suspended, said the person, asking not to be identified because the information isn’t public.