In January 2023, AI speech synthesis company ElevenLabs, Inc. released a beta platform for its natural-sounding vocal cloning tool. Using this platform, a brief snippet of a person's voice could generate audio files of the target saying anything the uploader desired. This release created a spike in misappropriated vocal cloning from viral rap songs to parodies of political figures. Recognizing their software was being widely misused, ElevenLabs installed safeguards to ensure the company could trace the generated audio back to a creator. But it was too late. Pandora's box was already open.