Liveness Detection
Liveness detection is a technology that verifies a person is physically present during a remote identity verification. It distinguishes a real human being from a fraud attempt using a photo, video, or mask.
Liveness detection is an essential safeguard against presentation attacks in digital identity verification workflows. Without this security layer, a fraudster could use another person's photo, a pre-recorded video, or even a 3D mask to impersonate someone's identity.
There are two levels of liveness detection: passive and active. Passive detection analyses image characteristics in the background (skin textures, reflections, depth) without requiring any action from the user. Active detection asks the user to perform specific gestures such as turning their head, blinking, or smiling to prove their physical presence.
ISO 30107 standards define the requirements for Presentation Attack Detection (PAD). Solutions certified by iBeta or FIDO achieve detection rates above 99.5%, ensuring a security level compatible with the strictest regulatory requirements.
Regulations
Real-world examples
- 1.During online life insurance enrolment, the customer is asked to turn their head from left to right in front of their camera to prove they are not presenting a simple photograph.
- 2.An online lending platform uses passive liveness detection to automatically analyse micro-textures of the skin and eye reflections, detecting a fraud attempt via a smartphone screen held up to the camera.
- 3.A solicitor conducting remote authentication verifies the physical presence of the signatory through a certified liveness test before the signing of an electronic deed.