Ask UTD to remove Honorlock as it is a violation of student privacy.
Ask UTD to remove Honorlock as it is a violation of student privacy.
UTD is encouraging professors to use Honorlock in order to proctor online tests. This program requires a webcam and microphone (that you have to provide them access to) in order to function. It can also collect your face, driver's license, and network information. it might also ask you to do a 360-degree scan of your room before a test. This is both a blatant violation of our privacy as students and infeasible for many. If a professor requires this program you're forced to waive your privacy rights or get 0% on an exam. additionally, many students may not have access to a webcam or microphone on their computer and would be forced to try to buy one amidst a pandemic that has shuttered most stores. The way Honorlock function is a massive breach of privacy and can lead to a lot of personal student data or even data from other devices connected to the same network to be collected. We risk having personal data from our homes be sold or held by an unknown third party. Please stand with us against this program that blatantly violates our rights and sign this petition!
Schools should not have the ability to take away our privacy out of suspicion. The school or company doesn't have a right to our personal homes and data.
UPDATE:
Many have come forward and told me how Honorlock can cause issues with connection. Having video and audio recorded during the exam puts significant strain on home internet, much more then the measly 756kbps up and 1.5mbps down. Many tests will have such limits that even a second disconnection can cause a student to lose time or not do well on the exam. Why should we take that risk?
Links to support our claims:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/us/online-testing-cheating-universities-coronavirus.html