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Lockdown Browser integrates with Respondus Monitor. The former is mainly responsible for preventing students to access their computer during exams, and the latter is mainly responsible for monitoring the students during examinations. The restriction of access include disabling of browser toolbar, windows feature (such as print screen, accessing computer's tool bar), the ability to exit the application, the ability to power off the computer, keyboard functions, and more.<ref name=":0" />  
Lockdown Browser integrates with Respondus Monitor. The former is mainly responsible for preventing students to access their computer during exams, and the latter is mainly responsible for monitoring the students during examinations. The restriction of access include disabling of browser toolbar, windows feature (such as print screen, accessing computer's tool bar), the ability to exit the application, the ability to power off the computer, keyboard functions, and more.<ref name=":0" />  


==Impact-Summary==
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}
 
===Student Privacy===
===Student Privacy===
According the Respondus's Privacy Policy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Privacy Center |url=https://web.respondus.com/privacy-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260530053053/https://web.respondus.com/privacy-policy/ |archive-date=2026-05-30 |access-date=2026-06-17 |website=Respondus.com}}</ref>, LockDown Browser access many private information depending on institutional policies, such as using facial recognition, "internet and network activity information," screen captures, and etc. Researchers like Balash et al. call softwares like Lockdown Browser to be "invasive monitoring tools" and surveyed privacy concerns amongst students<ref>Balash, D. G., Kim, D., Shaibekova, D., Fainchtein, R. A., Sherr, M., & Aviv, A. J. (2021, June 10). ''Examining the Examiners: Students’ Privacy and Security Perceptions of Online Proctoring Services''. ArXiv.org. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2106.05917</nowiki></ref>. Further, in Ogletree v. Cleveland State University<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ogletree v. Cleaveland State University |url=web.respondus.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/Doc-50-Amended-Opinion-and-Order-Ogletree.pdf. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/ohio/ohndce/1:2021cv00500/275187/37/}}</ref>, the U.S. District Court concluded the following:<blockquote>Based on consideration of these factors, individually and collectively, the Court concludes that Mr. Ogletree’s privacy interest in his home outweighs Cleveland State’s interests in scanning his room. Accordingly, the Court determines that Cleveland State’s practice of conducting room scans is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment.</blockquote>In response to the ruling, Respondus gave the following statement<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-14 |title=Our Take on the Ogletree Ruling |url=https://web.respondus.com/ogletree/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811075746/https://web.respondus.com/ogletree/ |archive-date=2025-08-11 |access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref> as it updated its own privacy policy and terms of use:<blockquote>Respondus has taken several steps to help universities strengthen their online testing policies. First, it has added the following paragraph to the boilerplate text that universities often use for their portion of the Student Terms of Use for Respondus Monitor.
According the Respondus's Privacy Policy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Privacy Center |url=https://web.respondus.com/privacy-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260530053053/https://web.respondus.com/privacy-policy/ |archive-date=2026-05-30 |access-date=2026-06-17 |website=Respondus.com}}</ref>, LockDown Browser access many private information depending on institutional policies, such as using facial recognition, "internet and network activity information," screen captures, and etc. Researchers like Balash et al. call softwares like Lockdown Browser to be "invasive monitoring tools" and surveyed privacy concerns amongst students<ref>Balash, D. G., Kim, D., Shaibekova, D., Fainchtein, R. A., Sherr, M., & Aviv, A. J. (2021, June 10). ''Examining the Examiners: Students’ Privacy and Security Perceptions of Online Proctoring Services''. ArXiv.org. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2106.05917</nowiki></ref>. Further, in Ogletree v. Cleveland State University<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ogletree v. Cleaveland State University |url=web.respondus.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/Doc-50-Amended-Opinion-and-Order-Ogletree.pdf. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/ohio/ohndce/1:2021cv00500/275187/37/}}</ref>, the U.S. District Court concluded the following:<blockquote>Based on consideration of these factors, individually and collectively, the Court concludes that Mr. Ogletree’s privacy interest in his home outweighs Cleveland State’s interests in scanning his room. Accordingly, the Court determines that Cleveland State’s practice of conducting room scans is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment.</blockquote>In response to the ruling, Respondus gave the following statement<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-14 |title=Our Take on the Ogletree Ruling |url=https://web.respondus.com/ogletree/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811075746/https://web.respondus.com/ogletree/ |archive-date=2025-08-11 |access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref> as it updated its own privacy policy and terms of use:<blockquote>Respondus has taken several steps to help universities strengthen their online testing policies. First, it has added the following paragraph to the boilerplate text that universities often use for their portion of the Student Terms of Use for Respondus Monitor.
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''If you are using Respondus Monitor at your home or in a personal area, you agree to allow your activity and surrounding workspace area to be recorded by video and audio and then to be analyzed by the Respondus Monitor system.''</blockquote>Others criticize that the LockDown Browser creates stress for students and fails to create academic integrity amongst privacy issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuevas |first=Heidi |date=2025-07-18 |title=Student Perspective: Lockdown browsers create anxiety, not integrity |url=https://panthernow.com/2025/06/18/lockdown-browsers-create-anxiety-not-integrity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316083625/https://panthernow.com/2025/06/18/lockdown-browsers-create-anxiety-not-integrity/ |archive-date=2026-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Margaret |date=2021-03-11 |title=Lockdown Browsers: Protecting Integrity or Invading Privacy? |url=https://cuatower.com/2021/03/lockdown-browsers-protecting-integrity-or-invading-privacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117121331/https://cuatower.com/2021/03/lockdown-browsers-protecting-integrity-or-invading-privacy/ |archive-date=2024-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swauger |first=Shea |date=2020-08-07 |title=Software that monitors students during tests perpetuates inequality and violates their privacy |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/07/1006132/software-algorithms-proctoring-online-tests-ai-ethics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260518134137/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/07/1006132/software-algorithms-proctoring-online-tests-ai-ethics/ |archive-date=2026-05-18 |access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Sean |date=2020-12-02 |title=Lockdown Browser is bad software and should be scrapped |url=https://mytjnow.com/2020/12/02/lockdown-browser-is-bad-software-and-should-be-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930200501/https://mytjnow.com/2020/12/02/lockdown-browser-is-bad-software-and-should-be-scrapped/ |archive-date=2022-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Critical Analysis of Respondus LockDown Web Browser |url=https://osuosc.org/events/2008-10-17-critical-analysis-of-respondus-lockdown-web-browser/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Jason |date=2020-08-20 |title=Proctoring Apps Subject Students to Unnecessary Surveillance |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/08/proctoring-apps-subject-students-unnecessary-surveillance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260520222519/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/08/proctoring-apps-subject-students-unnecessary-surveillance}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Vivian |date=2021-04-30 |title=Lockdown browsers fail to create a culture of academic integrity |url=https://retriever.umbc.edu/2021/04/lockdown-browsers-fail-to-create-a-culture-of-academic-integrity-they-invade-student-privacy-and-harm-student-health/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005194426/https://retriever.umbc.edu/2021/04/lockdown-browsers-fail-to-create-a-culture-of-academic-integrity-they-invade-student-privacy-and-harm-student-health/}}</ref>
''If you are using Respondus Monitor at your home or in a personal area, you agree to allow your activity and surrounding workspace area to be recorded by video and audio and then to be analyzed by the Respondus Monitor system.''</blockquote>Others criticize that the LockDown Browser creates stress for students and fails to create academic integrity amongst privacy issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuevas |first=Heidi |date=2025-07-18 |title=Student Perspective: Lockdown browsers create anxiety, not integrity |url=https://panthernow.com/2025/06/18/lockdown-browsers-create-anxiety-not-integrity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316083625/https://panthernow.com/2025/06/18/lockdown-browsers-create-anxiety-not-integrity/ |archive-date=2026-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Margaret |date=2021-03-11 |title=Lockdown Browsers: Protecting Integrity or Invading Privacy? |url=https://cuatower.com/2021/03/lockdown-browsers-protecting-integrity-or-invading-privacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117121331/https://cuatower.com/2021/03/lockdown-browsers-protecting-integrity-or-invading-privacy/ |archive-date=2024-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swauger |first=Shea |date=2020-08-07 |title=Software that monitors students during tests perpetuates inequality and violates their privacy |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/07/1006132/software-algorithms-proctoring-online-tests-ai-ethics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260518134137/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/07/1006132/software-algorithms-proctoring-online-tests-ai-ethics/ |archive-date=2026-05-18 |access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Sean |date=2020-12-02 |title=Lockdown Browser is bad software and should be scrapped |url=https://mytjnow.com/2020/12/02/lockdown-browser-is-bad-software-and-should-be-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930200501/https://mytjnow.com/2020/12/02/lockdown-browser-is-bad-software-and-should-be-scrapped/ |archive-date=2022-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Critical Analysis of Respondus LockDown Web Browser |url=https://osuosc.org/events/2008-10-17-critical-analysis-of-respondus-lockdown-web-browser/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Jason |date=2020-08-20 |title=Proctoring Apps Subject Students to Unnecessary Surveillance |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/08/proctoring-apps-subject-students-unnecessary-surveillance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260520222519/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/08/proctoring-apps-subject-students-unnecessary-surveillance}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Vivian |date=2021-04-30 |title=Lockdown browsers fail to create a culture of academic integrity |url=https://retriever.umbc.edu/2021/04/lockdown-browsers-fail-to-create-a-culture-of-academic-integrity-they-invade-student-privacy-and-harm-student-health/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005194426/https://retriever.umbc.edu/2021/04/lockdown-browsers-fail-to-create-a-culture-of-academic-integrity-they-invade-student-privacy-and-harm-student-health/}}</ref>


===User Freedom===
===User freedom===
In terms of freedom, aside from browser restrictions, the decision for students to opt out of LockDown Browser lies not with Respondus but varies between institutions. The following is the Opt-Out policy from Respondus Monitor's student Terms of Use:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=Terms of Use - Respondus Monitor (Student) |url=https://web.respondus.com/tou-monitor-student/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123114802/https://web.respondus.com/tou-monitor-student/ |archive-date=2026-01-23}}</ref><blockquote>d. OPT-OUT. If you cease to agree with these Terms, or the privacy and security policy below at some point in the future, you may opt-out by contacting your Institution. However, opting-out may affect how you will need to complete your course, and your Institution makes no representations regarding how it will affect your relevant course or any ramifications from opt-out (e.g., you may not be able to complete the requirements of such course). As such, we encourage you to speak with your instructor before opting out.</blockquote>
In terms of freedom, aside from browser restrictions, the decision for students to opt out of LockDown Browser lies not with Respondus but varies between institutions. The following is the Opt-Out policy from Respondus Monitor's student Terms of Use:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=Terms of Use - Respondus Monitor (Student) |url=https://web.respondus.com/tou-monitor-student/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123114802/https://web.respondus.com/tou-monitor-student/ |archive-date=2026-01-23}}</ref><blockquote>d. OPT-OUT. If you cease to agree with these Terms, or the privacy and security policy below at some point in the future, you may opt-out by contacting your Institution. However, opting-out may affect how you will need to complete your course, and your Institution makes no representations regarding how it will affect your relevant course or any ramifications from opt-out (e.g., you may not be able to complete the requirements of such course). As such, we encourage you to speak with your instructor before opting out.</blockquote>


===Business Models===
===Business model===
Respondus primarily markets LockDown Browser towards educational institutions as their direct customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LockDown Browser - Pricing |url=https://web.respondus.com/k12/lockdownbrowser/pricing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260330061906/https://web.respondus.com/k12/lockdownbrowser/pricing/}}</ref> The end users for LockDown Browser are the students, and the surrounding monitoring tools are primarily used by test proctors, whether they be hired proctors, instructors, teaching assistants, or otherwise. However, this had led to the concern that end users are not involved in the decision process in software that may negatively impact their computer (see incident).
Respondus primarily markets LockDown Browser towards educational institutions as their direct customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LockDown Browser - Pricing |url=https://web.respondus.com/k12/lockdownbrowser/pricing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260330061906/https://web.respondus.com/k12/lockdownbrowser/pricing/}}</ref> The end users for LockDown Browser are the students, and the surrounding monitoring tools are primarily used by test proctors, whether they be hired proctors, instructors, teaching assistants, or otherwise. However, this had led to the concern that end users are not involved in the decision process in software that may negatively impact their computer.


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
===Causing computer instability on Windows===
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
As of writing, no news source had covered these incidents; only technical forums, institutional IT help, and posts from Respondus Support Team had mentioned LockDown Browser damaging student's computer throughout the years. Due to these issues, LockDown Browser had been informally criticized as "malware." Issues include:
 
*Registry File tampering and disabling of Task Manager on Windows across restarts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-16 |title=Respondus lockdown browser messed up my PC. |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3903381/respondus-lockdown-browser-messed-up-my-pc |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-19 |title=Our University forced us to download a malware for online classes |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3717759/our-university-forced-us-to-download-a-malware-for |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=Notebook Windows OS damaged after using Lockdown Browser |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/Notebook-Windows-OS-damaged-after-using-Lockdown-Browser/td-p/8821507}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-24 |title=LockDown Browser has caused issues within my laptop's driver. |url=https://community.instructure.com/en/discussion/567478/lockdown-browser-has-caused-issues-within-my-laptops-driver}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-28 |title=I restarted my computer while LockDown Browser was running. Windows Task Manager is now greyed out. |url=https://archive.md/HgFeS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.md/HgFeS}}</ref>
===Example incident one (''date'')===
*Inability to power-off one's computer; Computer freezing requiring hard computer restart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LockDown Browser froze during a test and I cannot exit. |url=https://support.respondus.com/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/155/25/lockdown-browser-froze-during-a-test-and-i-cannot-exit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.md/cp1L3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Troubleshooting Respondus Lockdown Browser Exam Issues |url=https://support.ti.davidson.edu/hc/en-us/articles/360040486733-Troubleshooting-Respondus-Lockdown-Browser-Exam-Issues |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Respondus LockDown Browser, it will not open or closes itself |url=https://helpdesk.concord.edu/kb/article/138-respondus-lockdown-browser-it-will-not-open-or-closes-itself/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-06-11 |title=LockDown Browser Froze While Taking an Exam |url=https://vlac.lonestar.edu/help/a306}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LockDown Browser Issue: Disabling Power Options |url=https://kb.uconn.edu/space/TL/26699759719/LockDown+Browser+Issue:+Disabling+Power+Options |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
*Requiring the disabling of anti-virus software, firewall software, and other components of Windows Defender to install or use LockDown Browser.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Feature Transfer Error" during install of LockDown Browser |url=https://support.respondus.com/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/518/25/feature-transfer-error-during-install-of-lockdown-browser |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.md/rj0Z7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Respondus LockDown Browser + Monitor |url=https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/310/respondus/students |url-status=live}}</ref>
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Class action lawsuit under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (2023)===
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...
 


Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) requires any private companies collecting biometric data from people to obtain informed written consent first, and the lawsuit claim that Respondus violated BIPA through Respondus Monitor, though Respondus denies the allegations. In the settlement for ''Veiga, et al. v. Respondus Inc.,'' Respondus agreed to resolve the class action lawsuit with 6.25 Million USD; anyone who took an exam with Respondus Monitor while in Illinois between Nov. 11, 2015, and June 2, 2023 is affected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-22 |title=Respondus online exam BIPA $6.25M class action lawsuit settlement |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/respondus-online-exam-bipa-6-25m-class-action-lawsuit-settlement/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-23 |title=Respondus online exam BIPA $6.25M class action lawsuit settlement 2023: Scam or Legit? Find Out! |url=https://www.planetofreviews.com/respondus-online-exam-bipa-6-25m/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}
*[[:Category:Surveillance]]
 
*[[GoGuardian]]
 
*[[VitalSource]]
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
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