Active and Passive Liveness Checks: What Is the Difference?

Liveness checks come in two main types: active and passive. Each has its advantages and use cases in identity verification.

Active Liveness

Active liveness requires user interaction such as blinking, smiling, or turning their head. The system analyses these actions to confirm a real person is present. This method can be part of best practices for effective identity verification.

Passive Liveness

Passive liveness works without user interaction. The system analyses the image for signs of life without requiring specific actions from the user. This approach can be beneficial in scenarios where user experience is a priority.

Which to Choose

Active liveness can be more secure but adds friction. Passive liveness is smoother but may be less robust against sophisticated attacks.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference helps businesses choose the right approach for their security requirements and user experience goals.