Updates to Respondus Online Proctoring Tool

Respondus Monitor is no longer available for remote proctoring, effective May 1, 2025, due to privacy concerns. Respondus Lockdown Browser continues to be available. Please read on for more detailed information.

Two Respondus Apps: Lockdown Browser and Monitor

During the period of emergency remote instruction, some courses needed a means to proctor exams remotely. McMaster undertook a pilot and review by an internal Online Proctoring Steering Committee in 2020, and with the endorsement of the IT Executive acquired two applications: Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor.

• Respondus Lockdown Browser locks the testing environment within Avenue to Learn, preventing a user from navigating away from the assessment screen on that device. As a result, the test-taker cannot search the internet or access saved files on their device until the test is submitted. It does not prevent users from using other devices while the test is open in the locked browser. Lockdown Browser continues to be available within Avenue.
• Respondus Monitor uses the webcam and microphone on the student’s device to record them during an assessment. These recordings are analyzed using artificial intelligence to flag “suspicious” activity that could indicate a breach of academic integrity. Monitor will no longer be available to instructors after May 1, 2025.

Respondus Monitor discontinuation

Since McMaster began using Respondus Monitor, a number of concerns were raised about the usage of the tool. These concerns were serious enough to warrant review and reconsideration.

• Privacy: Multiple students filed complaints with the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) about McMaster’s use of Respondus. The IPC’s decision and recommendations allowed McMaster to continue using Lockdown Browser. However, to continue using Responsus Monitor, the IPC required McMaster to implement guardrails against the collection and storage of students’ personally-identifying information. The vendor was unable to guarantee such guardrails.

Furthermore, it was found that the perceived need for remote proctoring was considerably less than it had been during the emergency remote instruction period:

• Academic Integrity: The outputs of Respondus Monitor have not provided useful evidence in cases handled by the Academic Integrity office.
• Declining Use: Since most courses returned to campus, the Avenue team has received very few requests for Respondus Monitor.

In consultation with McMaster’s Privacy Office and Academic Integrity Office and members of the Digital Learning Strategic Framework Steering Committee the decision was made for McMaster to discontinue use of Respondus Monitor for remote proctoring. Respondus Lockdown Browser remains available.

Advice for Instructors

• If you are using or planning to use Respondus Monitor, please reach out to the MacPherson Institute at mi@mcmaster.ca to discuss options for alternative assessments. Respondus Monitor will no longer be available after May 1, 2025.
• If you are using or planning to use Respondus Lockdown Browser, no action is required. If you’re interested in considering assessment options that don’t use Lockdown Browser, you are welcome to connect with the MacPherson Institute at mi@mcmaster.ca for advice.
• If you have used Respondus Monitor in the past but are not planning to use it any longer, do nothing! No action is required.