Due to the nature of the pandemic and the fact that classes were moved online, many professors have required that their students download Respondus Lockdown Browser on their computers in order to try to prevent academic dishonesty.

Respondus is a software that can access a student’s microphone and camera as well as any files or data stored on a student’s laptop. This software can best be described as malware due to its invasive nature. There have been many students raising concerns about where exactly their data is going and what is happening with it. According to the Respondus licensing agreement: “System Check data and log files may be sent to a Respondus web server or a third party cloud server for storage and further processing by Respondus. Respondus may use System Check data and log files to assist you with a technical issue. Respondus may also aggregate and analyze the System Check data to, for example, improve the Software or its technical support services. ” 

Respondus has also been known to glitch, locking students out of their exams, which increases the amount of data that is collected by Respondus. It also makes an already stressful sitaution worse. The thought of being closely monitored through a computer camera is enough to cause test anxiety to flare up in many if not all student s using the software. 

The pandemic has created enough anxiety and stress since we are forced to learn through online modules and recorded videos. Respondus is making an already bad situation worse.  NC State should come up with an alternative to Respondus due to its invasive nature and privacy concerns.