Stay tuned for our new myth busters series! We’ll tackle a new myth about Meazure Learning and the testing industry in every article.
Updated 5/8/2023
The recent, rapid shift to digital learning and testing sparked a global conversation about the ethics of data collection and dissemination among remote proctoring services. As concerns increased about how remote proctoring could negatively impact test-taker privacy, we began communicating more transparently about our testing processes, terms of service, and data collection. The laws are changing quickly in this area across the globe, and we’re constantly enhancing our policies and practices to ensure we are protecting test-taker information. Recently, we developed the Navigateur Guardian to connect test-takers to their proctoring session. When paired with the ProctorU Platform, Guardian increases the security of exams and test-taker data. In this article, we’ll refute four prominent myths about Guardian, Meazure Learning, and our privacy policies.
Myth #1: The ProctorU Platform/Guardian Browser sells test-taker data.
Reality: The ProctorU Platform and the Guardian Browser do not own or sell any test-taker data. Instead, our institutional partners own their own test-takers’ data, and we simply act as a service provider. We are contractually obligated NOT to sell or otherwise monetize any data from test-takers to third parties. We never market to test-takers or allow any of our service providers to do so. Guardian takes that a step further, by clearing its history, cache, and cookies after every use.
Myth #2: The ProctorU Platform/Guardian Browser can access test-taker files without their knowledge.
Reality: The ProctorU Platform can’t access test-taker files without their knowledge. The test-taker can see everything the proctor does on their device and can remove access at any time. When test-takers begin an online testing session, we provide them with specific disclosures about the information that will be collected during their test session, how that information will be used and shared, and how the Guardian Browser locks internet access or other files during the test. The application doesn’t give anyone else access to the test-taker’s computer during the test, and it doesn’t affect the device after the test ends.
The Guardian Browser underwent rigorous testing with a third party to ensure the browser’s security. Guardian passed every test and is a confirmed browser that provides ultimate security for test-takers.
Myth #3: The ProctorU Platform collects very sensitive information from the test-taker.
Reality: The ProctorU Platform only collects information from the public record that’s necessary to verify a test-taker’s identity, like name, email address, or educational institution. The ProctorU Platform doesn’t collect medical information, date of birth, social security numbers, or any other information that might compromise a test-taker’s online safety. We do require a picture ID before the test starts, but we securely destroy any images in our system after 7 days.
Myth #4: Artificial intelligence flags will falsely accuse test-takers of cheating.
Reality: Although we use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for automating repetitive tasks that lighten administrative workloads and reduce stress for test-takers, we do not allow AI to make nuanced and serious decisions like whether or not someone cheated. Our certified, trained, and human proctors assess every minute of a test-taker’s exam either in a live session or through a recording, which allows us to clearly differentiate between false flags and real misconduct. Learn more about how we’re taking a stand against software-only proctoring.
Meazure Learning is dedicated to providing transparent communication to our test-takers who use the ProctorU Platform paired with the Guardian Browser. We worked with students, academics, institutions, and other stakeholders to write The Student Bill of Rights and start an open dialogue about test-taker privacy and data safety. Test-takers can also review our privacy policy at any time and see when it was last updated.