Students are up in arms over the University of Wollongong's decision to introduce a contentious exam invigilation software they say infringes on their privacy.
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Students will have to download the software, called Proctorio, onto their personal computers as a browser extension.
The software records students while they take online exams, using their web cam, microphone and tracking their keyboard usage.
The software has been criticised in the past for privacy issues, and students have raised concerns that the university has introduced the software as a way of cutting staff costs.
UOW computer science student Ryan Anderson is leading the charge. He created a petition, already signed by almost 2000 people, urging the university not to use Proctorio.
"I believe that this software is a massive privacy concern and an invasion of our rights, as well as a cheap way for the university to cut costs when they should be properly invigilating our examinations," Mr Anderson said.
"It has the ability to potentially scrape our computers for information to determine our 'guilt'," he said.
"If I wanted to take an online course, I would be doing an online course and paying a fraction of what we pay the university."
A university spokesperson said the decision was not cost-driven, but instead about quality of learning.
In response to privacy concerns, the university emphasised that the information is encrypted and placed on a secure server.
"Proctorio does not have access to a student's computer file system, nor can it scan applications the user has open on their computer," the spokesperson said.
"Proctorio simply detects the presence of a face interacting with the exam window to ensure test takers are not looking away from their exam for an extended period and UOW invigilators have access to encrypted reports after the exam has concluded."
Engineering student Jasmine Goncalves said she was concerned about the pressure the system puts on students who struggle in exam settings.
"I have Reasonable Adjustment for my exams due to mental and physical illnesses," Ms Goncalves said.
"I already know my focus will be deterred from the exam because I'll be so concerned about making sure none of my actions trigger the system," she said.
"It's clear they don't give a s**t about students or their staff.
"The university is a business first and an educational institution second."
The university said they can discuss alternative arrangements for students with special circumstances.
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