AI-Powered Impersonation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio Raises Cybersecurity Concerns

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

27 Sources

An unknown individual has used AI technology to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting foreign ministers and US officials through voice messages and texts on Signal, raising alarm about potential information security breaches.

AI-Powered Impersonation Targets High-Level Officials

In a concerning development at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, an unknown individual has successfully impersonated U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio using AI-generated voice and text messages. The impostor contacted at least five high-ranking officials, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, raising significant security concerns 123.

Source: Reuters

Source: Reuters

The Impersonation Campaign

The impersonation campaign began in mid-June when the perpetrator created a Signal account using the display name "[email protected]" 1. While this is not Rubio's actual email address, the use of the secure messaging app Signal and the AI-generated content made the communications more convincing than traditional impersonation attempts.

The State Department issued a cable on July 3, 2025, alerting diplomatic and consular posts about the incident. The cable stated that the actor "likely aimed to manipulate targeted individuals using AI-generated text and voice messages, with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts" 3.

AI Technology and Cybersecurity Implications

This incident underscores the growing sophistication of AI-powered impersonation techniques. The impostor reportedly used AI software to mimic Rubio's voice and writing style, leveraging publicly available clips of the Secretary of State speaking and communicating 1. This technique, known as "vishing" for voice messages and "smishing" for text messages, has been used by scammers in the past, but its application in high-level political communications is particularly alarming 4.

Government Response and Security Measures

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the incident and is taking steps to address the security breach. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the department is "currently monitoring and addressing the matter" and is working to improve its cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents 4.

The FBI has also been involved, having previously warned of a "malicious text and voice messaging campaign" targeting senior U.S. government officials 5. The agency's public service announcement highlighted the use of AI-generated voice messages in these schemes.

Source: New York Post

Source: New York Post

Broader Context and Similar Incidents

This is not an isolated incident. Earlier in 2025, someone hacked the phone of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and contacted senators, governors, and executives 15. Additionally, a deepfake video of Rubio discussing Ukraine's access to Starlink internet service circulated in the spring, further illustrating the potential for AI-powered misinformation 4.

Policy Implications and Future Concerns

Source: Bloomberg Business

Source: Bloomberg Business

The incident has reignited discussions about the need for regulations surrounding AI impersonation. Former President Biden had previously called for a ban on AI impersonation after a robocall deepfaking his voice was used to discourage primary voters in New Hampshire 1.

As AI technology continues to advance, the potential for its misuse in political and diplomatic spheres grows. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures and clear policies to address the challenges posed by AI-powered impersonation and misinformation.

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