Proctorio Blog

Last weekend, Google released Chrome version 140, introducing a "Homework Help" icon in the address bar that appears automatically on sites like Canvas. Powered by Google Lens, this feature lets users screenshot or query exam questions for AI-generated answers without leaving the page, making cheating easier than ever. The Canvas community forum erupted with concerns, including videos showing it in action during quizzes.

The issue isn't unique to Chrome. Microsoft Edge has integrated Copilot since February 2023, allowing students to access AI assistance via a sidebar for real-time queries on exam content, often by screenshotting questions, as noted in educator discussions. Since many proctoring tools, including extension-based ones, function in Edge, just like Chrome, this long-standing vulnerability is only amplified with 'Homework Help,' but has been an issue for more than two years.

Reddit threads in r/Professors and r/edtech quickly followed the Chrome update, with users calling it a "cheating enabler" that bypasses traditional safeguards. While this highlights the ongoing clash between AI tools meant to aid learning and the need to protect academic integrity, studies show AI misuse is rampant. For example, a 2023 analysis linked AI use to ethical lapses, while a 2024 survey noted its damage to assessments if not addressed proactively. Research from topic expert Derek Newton further underscores this concern, revealing that AI cheating is nearly 3x what students admit through concealed behaviors, and that 94% of AI-generated college writing goes undetected by teachers.

But "Homework Help" isn't new, it's a rebranding of Google Lens features from 2022, like visual searches for math problems and homework assistance, as introduced in early Google Lens updates. Our team spotted these risks early, opening an internal ticket to block them.

We implemented safeguards before they reached consumer Chrome, and we've applied similar protections against Copilot in Edge from the start.

While some vendors are rushing updates amid the outrage, we've been perfecting a solution since 2022 for Chrome and 2023 for Edge. At Proctorio, we handle it in three steps:

Block the Quick Access Icon: Our lockdown prevents the "Homework Help" button from appearing during exams. It will simply disappear as soon as you start a Proctorio protected exam.

Disable AI Lookups: With "Disable New Tabs" enabled, we block sidebar, Lens, or Copilot searches from even being performed.

Report Attempts: The Review Center flags and logs any tries for instructor review.

If we assume the intention was good to actually help students, we can't ignore the reality. AI cheating evolves with tools like Gemini and Copilot, and these browser integrations make it seamless. Institutions need a partner like Proctorio that identifies threats early.

Choose security that's already ahead.