Claims

Factual · AI policy and governance · Political

“the U.S. government right now is both very alarmed about this problem of potential deep fakes and then they're also trying to outlaw blockchains.”

Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist, interviewee · 12 June 2023 · Marc Andreessen on Why AI Will Save the World (EconTalk)

As of June 2023, the U.S. government was both alarmed about deepfakes and trying to outlaw blockchains.

Mostly true True in substance, wrong in a detail.

The second judge said mostly false; the verdict shown is the first judge's.

What would count as true or false

Judge as of June 2023. The claim has two parts: (a) the US government was alarmed about deepfakes and (b) the US government was trying to outlaw blockchains. True: evidence shows official US government concern about deepfakes (e.g. statements from the White House, FTC, DHS or Congress, or bills introduced) and actual efforts by US government bodies to ban or prohibit blockchain technology or cryptocurrencies as such. Mostly true: (a) holds and US agencies took broad actions aimed at eliminating major parts of the crypto industry (e.g. the SEC treating most tokens as illegal securities, 'Operation Choke Point 2.0' banking pressure) that could fairly be called trying to outlaw them, though there was no formal ban. Mixed: (a) holds, but (b) is supported only by enforcement actions and regulation of specific firms, not an effort to outlaw the technology. Mostly false: (a) holds but (b) is clearly contradicted, with no ban effort and policy focused on regulating rather than prohibiting. False: neither part is supported.

Evidence

1. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission · 8 June 2023

   “As I’ve said numerous times, the vast majority of crypto tokens meet the investment contract test.”

2. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission · 8 June 2023

   “Given that most crypto tokens are subject to the securities laws, it follows that most crypto intermediaries have to comply with securities laws as well.”

3. FACT SHEET: President Biden to Sign Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets | The White House The White House (archived Biden administration site) · 9 March 2022

   “The United States must maintain technological leadership in this rapidly growing space, supporting innovation while mitigating the risks for consumers, businesses, the broader financial system, and the climate.”

4. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Chair Gary Gensler) · 8 June 2023

   “As I’ve said numerous times, the vast majority of crypto tokens meet the investment contract test. Not liking the message isn’t the same thing as not receiving it.”

5. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Chair Gary Gensler) · 8 June 2023

   “Regardless, however, of the ledger being used, be it a spreadsheet, a database, or blockchain technology, when investors put their money at risk, it’s the economic realities of the investment that matter.”

6. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Chair Gary Gensler) · 8 June 2023

   “Thus, crypto security issuers need to register the offer and sale of their investment contracts with the SEC or meet the requirements for an exemption.”

7. We’ve Seen This Story Before - remarks before the Piper Sandler Global Exchange & Fintech Conference U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Chair Gary Gensler) · 8 June 2023

   “Still, for those tokens that are used exclusively within their blockchain ecosystems, the staff has shown willingness to provide no-action letters.”

8. Blumenthal played his own deepfake to warn Congress about the dangers of AI CT Public · 17 May 2023

   ““Weaponized disinformation, housing discrimination, the harassment of women and impersonation fraud, voice cloning, deep fakes,” Blumenthal said.”

Reasoning

Part (a) is supported: in May 2023 Senator Blumenthal warned Congress about AI harms including deepfakes (E8). For part (b), the SEC Chair stated in June 2023 that the vast majority of crypto tokens meet the investment contract test and that most crypto intermediaries must comply with securities laws (E1, E2). This matches the criteria's 'mostly true' example of the SEC treating most tokens as securities. However, the same remarks frame this as registration and compliance rather than prohibition, and mention no-action relief (E5, E6, E7). No evidence shows a formal ban on blockchain technology.

Cite this claim

Marc Andreessen, “As of June 2023, the U.S. government was both alarmed about deepfakes and trying to outlaw blockchains.” (said 12 June 2023). Verdict: mostly true. Reliability API, claim c_b40853a389fa, method 0.1.0+c876030c. https://epistacklabs.com/claims/c_b40853a389fa