Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of passive information gathering?

Passive information gathering is characterized primarily by its non-intrusive methods of collecting data about a target without any direct interaction. This means that the process relies on publicly available information, such as data from websites, social media, or public records, which does not necessitate any explicit consent or interaction with the target.

When information is gathered passively, the techniques employed ensure that the individual or entity performing the gathering does not engage in actions that could alert or provoke the target, maintaining a low profile during the process. Since no interactions are made with the target system or network, the need for explicit permission is inherently absent—making it a defining feature of passive techniques.

Thus, the assertion that passive information gathering requires permission from the target conflicts with its fundamental nature, making it the correct identification as a characteristic that does not belong to this gathering type.