Yes, Honorlock records video and audio of you during the exam

Honorlock is proctoring software that colleges and universities use to monitor students taking tests online. When you take an exam through Honorlock, the system records your webcam video, microphone audio, and your screen activity. The recording captures everything that happens during the test — your face, the room around you, what you say, and what appears on your monitor.

Your school controls what happens to that recording after the exam ends. Some institutions keep the files for a set period (often 30 to 90 days), then delete them. Others retain them longer if a flagged exam needs review. You do not receive a copy of the recording unless your school's policy specifically provides one.

Honorlock also flags suspicious activity in real time — if you look away from the screen too often, move your head out of frame, or your audio picks up another voice, the system logs it. A human proctor may watch the live feed or review the recording later to decide whether the flagged behavior violated your school's academic integrity policy.

Key Takeaways

  • Honorlock records your video, audio, and screen during the entire exam, and your school decides how long to keep the files.
  • The system flags behavior like looking away, leaving the frame, or background noise, but flagging alone does not mean you violated any rule.
  • A human proctor reviews flagged exams or watches the live feed, depending on your school's setup.
  • You can see what Honorlock recorded by requesting it from your school's testing center or registrar, though response times vary.
  • Honorlock cannot access your files, passwords, or anything outside the exam window, and it does not install permanent software on your computer.

What the recording includes and what it does not

The recording captures your face, your voice, your screen, and the physical space around your computer. If someone speaks in the background, the microphone picks it up. If you glance at a book or phone, the camera sees it. Honorlock also records metadata — the exact time you started and finished, how long you spent on each question, and when you submitted answers.

What Honorlock does not record: your keyboard strokes, your files outside the exam window, your browser history, or anything on your computer before or after the test. The system runs only during the exam itself. Once you close the test, Honorlock stops recording and cannot see what you do next on your device.

The software also does not record audio or video from your phone, smartwatch, or any device other than your computer's webcam and microphone. If someone is in the room with you, Honorlock hears them only if they speak loudly enough for your computer's microphone to pick up.

How your school uses the recording

Your institution owns the recording, not Honorlock. The school decides the retention policy — how long to keep files and who can view them. Most schools store recordings for 30 to 90 days, then delete them automatically. Some keep them longer if an exam was flagged or if a student contests a grade.

If Honorlock flags your exam, a human proctor (usually someone at your school's testing center or an Honorlock employee, depending on the contract) reviews the recording or watches the live feed. They look for signs of cheating — unauthorized materials, someone else in the room, communication with others, or unusual patterns in your answers. The proctor writes a report and sends it to your instructor or academic integrity office.

You have the right to see the recording and the proctor's report. Contact your school's testing center or registrar and ask for a copy. Response times vary, but most schools provide it within one to two weeks. If you believe the proctor made an error, you can request a review or appeal through your school's academic integrity process.

What triggers a flag and what it means

Honorlock flags behavior automatically when it detects: your face leaving the camera frame for more than a few seconds, your eyes looking away from the screen repeatedly, background noise or voices, a second person visible on camera, or your hand moving toward a phone or book. The system also flags if you open a new browser tab, minimize the exam window, or use keyboard shortcuts that suggest you are trying to access other programs.

A flag does not mean you cheated. It means the system detected something that could indicate cheating, and a human needs to review it. Many flags are false positives — you looked down to write on scratch paper, someone walked past your door, or your internet glitched and the video froze. The proctor's job is to decide whether the flagged behavior actually violated your school's rules.

Your school's academic integrity policy determines what counts as a violation. Some schools allow you to have a family member in the room as long as they do not help. Others require you to be completely alone. Some allow notes or textbooks for open-book exams. Read your school's testing rules before the exam so you know what is permitted.

How to request or review your recording

Contact your school's testing center, registrar, or the office that proctored your exam. Tell them you want a copy of your Honorlock recording and the proctor's report (if one exists). Provide your name, student ID, the course name, and the exam date. Most schools have a form you fill out or an email address where you submit the request.

Response times vary. Some schools send the recording within a few days; others take one to two weeks. If your school says they cannot provide it, ask why — some institutions have policies that limit student access, though this is uncommon. If you believe the recording was used unfairly or the proctor made an error, ask for the appeal process.

Keep in mind that Honorlock itself does not provide recordings to students. Only your school can release them. If Honorlock's customer support tells you to contact your school, that is the correct answer — they do not handle individual student requests.

Privacy and data security

Honorlock stores recordings on encrypted servers and requires login credentials to access them. Your school controls who can view the files — typically only proctors, instructors, and academic integrity staff. Honorlock does not sell recordings to third parties or use them for marketing.

That said, the recording is not private in the way a personal video would be. Your school can subpoena it if you are involved in a legal dispute. If your school is audited or investigated, regulators may request access. And if your school changes vendors or closes, the fate of old recordings depends on the contract between your school and Honorlock.

Before you take an exam, your school should provide a notice explaining that recording will occur and how the data will be used. If you did not receive one, ask your testing center for a copy. Some students have the right to refuse proctoring software and take the exam in person instead — check your school's policy.

Alternatives if you do not want to use Honorlock

If you are uncomfortable with Honorlock, talk to your instructor or testing center about other options. Some schools offer in-person proctoring at a testing center on campus — you sit in a room with a human proctor and no recording. Others use different software with different recording policies. A few schools allow take-home exams with honor codes instead of proctoring.

Your school may not be required to offer an alternative, so the answer depends on your institution's policies. But it is worth asking, especially if you have privacy concerns or accessibility needs that Honorlock does not accommodate. Document any conversation in writing (email is best) so you have a record if you need to appeal later.

If you are a student with a disability, your school's disability services office may be able to arrange a different testing setup. Honorlock has accessibility features, but they do not work for everyone. Contact your disability services coordinator before the exam to discuss options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Honorlock see my desktop or files outside the exam?

No. Honorlock records only what is on your screen during the exam window. Once you close the test, the recording stops. The software cannot access your files, folders, browser history, or anything else on your computer outside the exam itself.

What if someone else is in my room during the exam?

Honorlock will flag it if the camera sees another person or the microphone picks up their voice. Whether this violates your school's policy depends on the rules. Some schools allow family members to be present as long as they do not help. Others require you to be alone. Check your school's testing policy before the exam.

How long does my school keep the recording?

Most schools keep Honorlock recordings for 30 to 90 days, then delete them automatically. Some keep them longer if an exam was flagged or if a student contests a grade. Your school should tell you the retention policy — ask your testing center if you are unsure.

Can I see my recording if my exam was not flagged?

Yes. You can request your recording from your school's testing center or registrar at any time, whether or not it was flagged. Your school may charge a small fee or require you to fill out a form, but you have the right to see it. Response times vary from a few days to two weeks.

What happens if I disagree with what the proctor found?

You can request a review or appeal through your school's academic integrity process. Ask your instructor or dean of students for the appeal procedure. Bring the recording, the proctor's report, and a written explanation of why you believe the decision was wrong. Your school will assign someone to review your case.