Proctortrack vs LockDown Browser on Mac - Continuous Biometric vs Kiosk
The continuous biometric difference
Proctortrack's differentiator: it doesn't just record video for human review. It runs continuous facial recognition matching against your enrolled biometric reference, checking every few seconds that "you" are still there.
| Behavior | Proctortrack | LDB + Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-exam ID verification | Biometric face-matching | Photo of student ID |
| During-exam identity check | Continuous (every few seconds) | Recording for later review |
| If face leaves frame >5s | Active alert / pause | Logged for review |
| If different face appears | Real-time biometric mismatch alert | Recorded; reviewed later |
| Biometric data storage | Yes - matched against on each exam | No - recordings only |
Privacy implications of continuous biometric
Several jurisdictions have specific protections for biometric data:
- Illinois BIPA: requires written consent before biometric data collection. Multiple suits filed against Proctortrack.
- Texas CUBI: similar.
- EU GDPR: biometric data is "special category" - strict consent + processing rules.
- California CCPA/CPRA: biometric data has heightened protection.
If you're in Illinois, Texas, EU, California, or another jurisdiction with biometric protection, your university must obtain explicit consent - and you can refuse without academic consequence in some configurations.
Performance + footprint on Mac
- Proctortrack runs in browser - no separate native app.
- Performance varies by browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
- Continuous biometric processing is GPU-intensive - more than LDB's periodic checks.
- Battery cost on Mac: ~12-15%/hr typical (browser + biometric processing).
Accessibility
Continuous facial recognition exacerbates the disparate-accuracy problem. False rejections (algorithm doesn't recognize you in your own session due to lighting / angle / disparity) cause panic mid-exam. Documented cases of students with darker skin tones being repeatedly "denied access" mid-exam by the biometric matcher.
Student experience compared
| Concern | Proctortrack | LDB + Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Stress during exam | High (continuous biometric) | Medium |
| Looking away to think | May trigger biometric mismatch | Logged for review |
| Pets / family entering frame | Real-time alert; may pause exam | Recorded; reviewed later |
| Mac battery cost | ~12-15%/hr | ~10%/hr |
| Network failure tolerance | Lower (continuous biometric needs reliable upload) | Better |
If your university uses Proctortrack
- Verify written consent. If you're in Illinois, Texas, EU, or California, you should have an explicit consent form. If you don't, raise it with the privacy office.
- Test the biometric enrollment in advance. Lighting at your exam location should match enrollment lighting closely.
- Plan for stable network. Proctortrack tolerates network drops worse than LDB.
- Document accessibility concerns. If continuous biometric processing causes anxiety / disability flags, the disability office is your path.
- Consider alternatives. In-person exam is increasingly offered for biometric-objecting students.
Where Proctortrack wins (rare)
- High-stakes licensure exams where identity verification is regulatory: bar exam alternatives, professional certifications.
- Programs with documented past identity-fraud (impersonation) issues.
For typical higher-ed coursework, the trade-offs are unfavorable for most students.
Frequently asked questions
Can my biometric data be subpoenaed?
Yes - like any data held by a service, Proctortrack's privacy policy commits to legal-process compliance. Your facial biometric template is data that can be subpoenaed.
What happens to my biometric data if Proctortrack is acquired or shuts down?
Per their privacy policy, biometric data is supposed to be deleted within a specified period after the educational relationship ends. Acquisition events typically transfer data to the acquirer; you have right of access under various laws.
Is Proctortrack legal in my state / country?
Generally yes, but with consent requirements that vary. Check with your state's data-protection authority or privacy lawyer. In EU + Illinois + Texas + California, additional protections apply.