Liveness Detection Essential Against Rising Deepfake Threats

• •Liveness detection is now essential for KYC processes to combat deepfake threats.
• •The number of deepfake videos rose from 500,000 in 2023 to an estimated eight million by 2025.
• •Active and passive liveness detection methods are critical in verifying user authenticity.

As generative AI advances, identity verification firm Identomat emphasizes that liveness detection has become a crucial control in Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. The firm warns that relying solely on face matching exposes organizations to risks from biometric spoofing, including printed photos and AI-generated deepfakes. In 2023, approximately 500,000 deepfake videos circulated, escalating to an estimated eight million by 2025. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert in November 2024, highlighting the importance of live verification checks to combat fraudulent identity documents. Identomat outlines two main liveness detection methods: active liveness, which requires user interaction, and passive liveness, which analyzes captured images for authenticity. The firm also distinguishes between presentation attacks, such as using photos or masks, and more sophisticated injection attacks, which involve real-time face-swaps. Organizations are advised to assess vendors based on certification, testing, and regulatory compliance.