Watch CBS News

Petition Opposes Webcam Monitoring Software During Online Tests At Rutgers University

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A new software that some students at Rutgers University have been asked to download on their personal computers has sparked outrage and an online petition to stop its use.

Students taking online courses received an email asking them to download Proctortrack, a software that accesses their personal webcams and monitors their movements while taking online exams, 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet reported.

Petition Opposes Use Of Webcam Monitoring Software During Online Test Taking At Rutgers University

"I immediately didn't want to do it because it felt like such an invasion of privacy," said Erica. "I thought it was a little creepy and I'm not comfortable with it at all."

A spokesperson said Proctortrack complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and there are alternatives available to students.

Erica told Granet they just made the software available on library computers, but that's not enough.

"It doesn't fix the fact that they're using the webcam on you," she said.

The online petition started by a second semester senior at Rutgers University says the software costs $32 to download.

"Having to pay an additional fee is really not right," Erica said.

The petition opposing the software has over 800 signatures, Granet reported.

Some students who asked to take in-person exams said that alternative has yet to be made available to them.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.