Hello all,

From my very first exam using HonorLock, I felt an immediate and deep violation of my privacy. When I learned that this proctoring software not only required me to agree to a list of invasive permissions—accessing my operating system, network activity, and even my personal files—but also forced me to submit to room scans of my living space, I knew something was terribly wrong.

I remember my very first quiz vividly. Unaware of all the background processes running on my computer, I was suddenly interrupted mid-exam by a “proctor” instructing me to close applications that I hadn’t even known were being monitored. When I reached out to my professor, I was told to either accept these invasive measures or drop the course. As a student who has invested thousands of dollars over several years, that was not a real choice. My concern grew when I later discovered that my worries about privacy were not isolated—numerous reviews and legal challenges point to similar issues with HonorLock.

I am shocked that a company with such a disturbing record of spying on students, collecting sensitive data, and monitoring our every move has not yet been more forcefully challenged in court. HonorLock’s practices—ranging from intrusive room scans to deep access into personal computing environments—aren’t just unethical; they border on illegal surveillance. It is outrageous that such invasive measures, which violate our Fourth Amendment rights and basic expectations of privacy, remain unchecked. How can a third-party company be allowed to operate in a way that treats our homes as public spaces and our personal information as fair game?

I also escalated my concerns with the College of Engineering, but after a month of silence, it became clear that my voice was not being heard. This mandatory use of invasive monitoring software not only breaches our fundamental right to privacy, but it also forces us into a situation where our academic future is contingent on surrendering a significant part of our personal freedom.

I’m sharing my story because I believe every student deserves the right to privacy in their own home, especially in an environment that is supposed to foster learning and personal growth. No one should be forced to choose between their education and their civil liberties. I call on George Mason University to review its proctoring policies, provide non-invasive alternatives, and truly listen to the concerns of its students.

Sources:

HonorLock's Google Review Page - https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/honorlock/hnbmpkmhjackfpkpcbapafmpepgmmddc

George Mason University's Verification of Student Identity in Distance Education - https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/verification-of-student-identity-in-distance-education/

Healy v. Honorlock Inc. - https://casetext.com/case/healy-v-honorlock-inc