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Lockdown Browser, or LockDown Browser, is a custom web browser that locks down a student's computer during an exam, it often is integrated with learning management systems, such as Canvas, Schoology, etc.[1] The first documented version released in 2016[2], and it grew in relevance during and after the Covid-19 Lock-downs[3].
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2016 |
| Product Type | Software, Web browser |
| In Production | No |
| Official Website | https://web.respondus.com/he/lockdownbrowser/ |
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.[1]
Impact-Summary
editThis section is incomplete. This notice can be deleted once all the placeholder text has been replaced.
Student Privacy
editAccording the Respondus's Privacy Policy[4], 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[5]. Further, in Ogletree v. Cleveland State University[6], the U.S. District Court concluded the following:
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.
In response to the ruling, Respondus gave the following statement[7] as it updated its own privacy policy and terms of use:
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.
If your institution or instructor permits you to use Respondus Monitor at a non-university location, you agree to select a location that meets any and all university guidelines. If the location you choose is a home or personal environment, you agree to allow your activity and surrounding workspace to be recorded by video and audio and then analyzed by the Respondus Monitor system.
Similar text has been added to the Terms of Use section that is between Respondus and the student:
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.
Others criticize that the LockDown Browser creates stress for students and fails to create academic integrity amongst privacy issues.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
User Freedom
editIn 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:[15]
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.
Business Models
editRespondus primarily markets LockDown Browser towards educational institutions as their direct customers.[16] 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).
Incidents
edit
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Lockdown Browser category.
Example incident one (date)
edit- Main article: link to the main CR Wiki article
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
Example incident two (date)
edit...
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "LockDown Browser Resources". Respondus.com. 2026-06-17. Archived from the original on 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "LockDown Browser Version History". Respondus.com. 2020-11-29. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Google Trend - Searches on LockDown Browser".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Privacy Center". Respondus.com. 2025-09-12. Archived from the original on 2026-05-30. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ 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. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2106.05917
- ↑ [web.respondus.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/Doc-50-Amended-Opinion-and-Order-Ogletree.pdf. "Ogletree v. Cleaveland State University"].
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help); Check|url=value (help) - ↑ "Our Take on the Ogletree Ruling". 2023-02-14. Archived from the original on 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Cuevas, Heidi (2025-07-18). "Student Perspective: Lockdown browsers create anxiety, not integrity". Archived from the original on 2026-03-16.
- ↑ Adams, Margaret (2021-03-11). "Lockdown Browsers: Protecting Integrity or Invading Privacy?". Archived from the original on 2024-11-17.
- ↑ Swauger, Shea (2020-08-07). "Software that monitors students during tests perpetuates inequality and violates their privacy". Archived from the original on 2026-05-18. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Miller, Sean (2020-12-02). "Lockdown Browser is bad software and should be scrapped". Archived from the original on 2022-09-30.
- ↑ "Critical Analysis of Respondus LockDown Web Browser".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Kelley, Jason (2020-08-20). "Proctoring Apps Subject Students to Unnecessary Surveillance".
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ Pham, Vivian (2021-04-30). "Lockdown browsers fail to create a culture of academic integrity".
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ "Terms of Use - Respondus Monitor (Student)". 2026-01-15. Archived from the original on 2026-01-23.
- ↑ "LockDown Browser - Pricing".
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help)