Is Proctorio an invasion of privacy?

Yes, many consider Proctorio an invasion of privacy due to extensive monitoring (webcam, microphone, keystrokes, gaze tracking, room scans) and data collection, raising concerns about security, algorithmic bias, impact on students with disabilities, and potential misuse of sensitive personal information, though Proctorio claims adherence to privacy standards and only collects necessary data with transparency. Critics argue that tools like Proctorio collect too much data, creating risks of breaches and unfair flagging, while the company emphasizes its role in maintaining exam integrity and compliance with laws like FERPA.

Is Proctorio a violation of privacy?

One misconception about Proctorio is that it compromises users' privacy by permanently storing sensitive information. However, it follows strict data protection standards and collects only the information necessary for monitoring during the assessment, such as video or audio, depending on the institution's settings.

What is the Proctorio controversy?

Proctorio's controversies center on its invasive online proctoring software, raising significant student privacy, data security, and algorithmic bias concerns, with accusations of academic surveillance, misuse of copyright law (DMCA) in lawsuits against critics (like Ian Linkletter and Erik Johnson) to silence concerns, and documented failures in facial recognition for students of color, leading to university contract cancellations and widespread student backlash. Critics call it spyware and demand better, less invasive assessment methods, while Proctorio defends its security and effectiveness. 

Do professors actually check Proctorio?

Students should treat their Proctorio exam just like an exam they would take in the testing center. If any issues are found in a Proctorio exam, a report is sent to the professor to review. If the activity is deemed as any form of academic dishonesty, the Honor Code Office will be notified.

What triggers the Proctorio flag?

Common Reasons for Flags

Here are some typical triggers that might raise a digital eyebrow from Proctorio: Looking away from the screen (even briefly) Background movement (like someone walking by) Sudden noises (a doorbell, your pet, or your sibling)

NovUM puts Privacy over Proctorio

Can Proctorio detect eye movements?

Proctorio does not track eye movements, but we may use facial detection to ensure test-takers are not looking away from their exam for an extended period of time. This simply detects the presence of a face interacting with the exam window. How do you decide what behavior counts as "cheating"?

What is the suspicion level in Proctorio?

The suspicion level is a grade that is accumulated from amount of flags that Proctorio used for a student during the test. If you click on a student's name, it will open up the results for that specific student.

How do I prove I didn't plagiarize?

Check if flagged content includes properly cited quotes or paraphrased text, common phrases, references, or bibliography entries. Gather evidence to support your case. Compile proof of originality and proper sourcing, such as notes, drafts of papers, source materials, and communication records.

Can Proctorio detect phones?

Proctorio can't directly detect your phone or other devices while you're taking your exam. But depending on the settings chosen by your exam administrator, Proctorial name monitor, your computer screen, webcam, or microphone.

What should you not do in a proctored exam?

In a proctored exam, you should not use unauthorized materials (notes, phones, other devices), communicate with anyone, leave the testing area without permission, look off-screen excessively, talk or read aloud, have other people or pets in view, or use unauthorized software/websites; these actions often lead to immediate exam termination and potential score loss. 

How can a professor know you cheated on an exam if it's not proctored?

Teachers can check how students answer questions throughout the test. If someone keeps picking the same answer, like “C” for every question, it might seem strange. Also, if many students pick the same answers in a weird pattern, it could mean they're cheating together.

Why are proctored exams bad?

Autonomy might be restricted by online proctoring in several ways. For example, it may require students to avoid doing things they can often do in traditional exams, such as muttering to themselves, looking to the side, and going to the bathroom—lest they raise automated red flags about suspicious behavior.

Can you talk during a Proctorio exam?

Talking aloud: Unless you have an accommodation, talking or whispering aloud during the exam is not permitted. Being out of camera view: Your face, chin to forehead, needs to be in the camera view at all times.

Can students see everything in their educational records?

Students have the right to see everything in their education record, except: Information about other students. Financial records of parents. Confidential letters of recommendation if they waived their right of access (which cannot be required)

Can a proctored exam see your keyboard?

Once the exam starts, your proctor will monitor everything on the computer screen, but can no longer utilize the your mouse and keyboard.

When you are having trouble using Proctorio, who should you contact first?

If you need technical assistance, please reach out to Proctorio directly by calling the 24x7 phone number: 866-948-9248, or using the chat function built into the Proctorio Chrome browser extension, or email [email protected].

How do you know if your Proctorio was flagged?

You often won't know immediately if Proctorio flagged you; instead, you might find out through an email notification, your instructor reaching out, or seeing a red flag in the gradebook, as flagged events (like looking away, unusual sounds, or other browser activity) trigger a review by your instructor, who makes the final call on academic dishonesty. 

How can I protect my privacy using Proctorio?

Proctorio employs end-to-end encryption, which means encrypted audio, video, screen recordings and images cannot become unencrypted until they are unlocked by an institution-approved representative, preventing any unauthorized access by third parties.

How do I defend myself against false accusations?

To defend against false accusations, stay calm, immediately consult a lawyer, and do not speak to police or the accuser; instead, gather all evidence (texts, emails, records, witnesses) to support your alibi and version of events, meticulously document everything, and let your legal counsel build a defense strategy to challenge the accuser's credibility and present your side, focusing on facts and avoiding emotional responses or over-explaining.
 

Why is it saying I plagiarized when I didn't?

Maybe they are just reading the match percentage and did not analyze the matched text. They could have options checked like “include quotes,” or “scan citations,” that will create a higher match percentage. Ask to go over your submission together and have the teacher or professor show how they decided you plagiarized.

How do I prove I did not use AI?

Take screenshots of your browser history when searching for references. You can provide these as evidence you researched the assessment yourself. If you make hand written notes or make notes on hard copy books or articles while completing your assessment, take photos of them before you get rid of them.

What happens if someone walks in during a proctored exam?

Candidates are expected to maintain a private testing area throughout the entire exam appointment. If the privacy of the testing area is broken, the online proctor will pause delivery of the ARE and address the privacy issue with the candidate.

What flags a proctored exam?

Here are some common types of proctoring flags: 1. Candidate Absence or Face Not Detected: When the candidate's face is not visible for an extended period, the system raises a flag. This could indicate the candidate has left the screen or is using another person to complete the test.

What is recorded during the Proctorio exam?

During the exam, Proctorio can record the screen, camera video, microphone audio and web traffic of the device to record your testing environment. Some instructors may enable a “desk scan” setting which asks you to use your webcam to capture a scan of your testing environment prior to the start of the exam.