Lockdown Browser can use your webcam, but only if your instructor turns that feature on
Lockdown Browser (also called Respondus Lockdown Browser) is test-taking software that locks down your computer during online exams. It can access your webcam to record video of you during the test, but it does not turn on the camera automatically. Your instructor or school has to enable webcam monitoring as part of the exam setup. If the feature is off, Lockdown Browser will not use your camera at all.
When webcam monitoring is enabled, Lockdown Browser records video of you and your testing space throughout the exam. The recording is stored and can be reviewed later by your instructor or proctor. This is meant to prevent cheating by confirming you are the person taking the test and that you are not using unauthorized materials or devices.
Key Takeaways
- Lockdown Browser can access your webcam only if your instructor enables webcam monitoring in the exam settings.
- When webcam recording is on, the software captures video of you and your testing environment for the entire exam.
- You will see a notification or warning before the exam starts if webcam monitoring is required.
- Lockdown Browser cannot use your webcam for any other purpose—it only records during the exam window your instructor sets.
- If you are uncomfortable with webcam monitoring, you should contact your instructor before exam day to discuss alternatives.
How to tell if webcam monitoring is turned on for your exam
Before you start an exam in Lockdown Browser, the software will display a setup screen that lists all the restrictions and monitoring features active for that test. If webcam recording is enabled, it will be listed there. You will also see a prompt asking for permission to access your camera—you must grant that permission for the exam to proceed.
If you do not see a webcam permission request and webcam monitoring is not listed in the setup screen, then your exam does not use webcam recording. In that case, Lockdown Browser will not attempt to access your camera.
What Lockdown Browser records when the webcam is on
When webcam monitoring is active, Lockdown Browser records continuous video of your face and upper body, as well as your desk and the area around you. The recording captures the entire duration of the exam. The video file is uploaded to your school's testing system after you submit the exam, where your instructor can watch it.
The software does not record audio unless your instructor has also enabled audio monitoring as a separate feature. Webcam recording and audio recording are controlled independently, so one can be on while the other is off.
Privacy and what happens to the recording
The webcam recording is stored on your school's or testing platform's servers, not on Respondus' servers. Your instructor and your school control who can view the recording. In most cases, only your instructor and academic integrity staff can access it. The recording is typically kept for the duration of the course or semester and then deleted, though your school's retention policy may vary.
You have the right to know whether webcam monitoring is being used before you take the exam. If you have concerns about privacy or the use of your image, contact your instructor or your school's testing center before exam day. Some schools offer alternative testing arrangements if you object to webcam recording.
What to do if you do not want to use your webcam
If webcam monitoring is required for your exam and you are not comfortable with it, reach out to your instructor or your school's disability services or testing center as soon as possible. Explain your concern. Some schools will allow you to take the exam in a proctored testing center instead, where a human proctor watches you in person rather than a camera recording you remotely. Other schools may have other accommodations available.
Do not try to disable the webcam or block the camera during the exam. Lockdown Browser will detect if the camera is covered or unavailable, and this will likely be flagged as a violation. It is better to discuss your concerns with your school before the exam than to face academic integrity issues afterward.
Technical requirements for webcam monitoring
Your computer must have a working webcam for webcam monitoring to function. Lockdown Browser will test your camera during the setup phase before the exam begins. If your camera is not working or not detected, the software will alert you and may prevent the exam from starting, depending on whether your instructor has made webcam monitoring mandatory or optional.
Make sure your webcam is not blocked by a cover, tape, or another object. Test your camera in advance by opening your computer's camera app or video chat software to confirm it is working. If you are using an external webcam, plug it in and test it before exam day.
Lockdown Browser and other monitoring features
Webcam recording is one of several monitoring tools Lockdown Browser can use. The software can also lock your screen so you cannot switch to other windows or applications, disable copy and paste, prevent access to the internet outside the exam, and monitor your keyboard and mouse activity. Your instructor chooses which features to enable for each exam. Webcam monitoring is separate from these other restrictions and is controlled independently.
Some exams use only screen-locking without any camera. Others use webcam recording plus screen-locking. The combination depends entirely on what your instructor sets up. You will see all active features listed before the exam starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lockdown Browser use my webcam without my permission?
No. Even if your instructor enables webcam monitoring, your operating system will prompt you to grant camera permission before Lockdown Browser can access it. You must click "Allow" or "Yes" to that prompt. If you deny permission, the camera will not work. However, if webcam monitoring is required for the exam, denying permission may prevent you from taking the test.
Does Lockdown Browser record audio from my microphone?
Only if your instructor has enabled audio monitoring as a separate feature. Webcam recording and audio recording are independent settings. Many exams use webcam video only, without audio. Check the setup screen before your exam to see which features are active.
Can my school see me through my webcam after the exam is over?
No. Lockdown Browser only records during the exam window. Once you submit the exam and close Lockdown Browser, the software stops recording. The recording is a file that is uploaded after the exam ends, not a live stream. Your school cannot access your camera outside of the exam period.
What if my webcam is broken on exam day?
Contact your instructor or testing center when ready. Do not try to take the exam without a working camera if webcam monitoring is required. Your school may allow you to reschedule, use a different device with a working camera, or take the exam at a proctored testing center instead.
Is the webcam recording encrypted or find?
The recording is transmitted to your school's testing system over an encrypted connection (HTTPS). How your school stores and protects the file after that depends on your school's security practices. If you have questions about data security, contact your school's IT department or testing center.