Chinese Universities Expand Bans on Smart Devices
A growing number of universities in China have strengthened examination security measures after students were found using wearable technologies such as smart glasses, smartwatches, wireless earbuds, and similar devices to cheat. Under the new regulations, devices with communication, data storage, imaging, scanning, or information transmission capabilities are prohibited from being brought into examination halls.
South China Agricultural University in Guangdong Province announced that it had recently detected several attempts to cheat using smart glasses and other electronic devices. The university stated that simply bringing a prohibited device into an examination hall would be considered cheating, even if the device was switched off or not used. In such cases, students may receive a score of zero for the relevant course, along with disciplinary penalties that could affect their eligibility for scholarships, awards, and other student privileges.
The university has also introduced an AI-powered monitoring system that operates in real time during examinations. The system can identify suspicious behaviours, including students frequently turning their heads, keeping their hands under the desk, carrying unidentified objects, or passing items to one another.
The rapid development of AI-supported wearable technologies has contributed to the expansion of these measures across the country. As smart glasses become smaller and increasingly resemble ordinary eyewear, it is becoming more difficult for examination invigilators to detect them. Experts argue that universities should update their examination regulations in line with technological developments and that manufacturers should introduce more visible security features, such as clear camera indicators.