Stop downloading functionality when using assignments/annotate?

[SarahWebb1]

Hi, is there a way to turn off students ability to download documents we upload to assignments in the annotate function? 

Thanks! 

[NicoletteStaley · Accepted solution]

@SarahWebb1 Unfortunately, there isn't any way to prevent students from being able to download assignments that they are to annotate in Canvas.  There are two reasons behind this:

• First, even it it was possible to remove the "download" button from the UI to prevent students from being able to simply click it to download, they would still be able to right-click on the file as it renders in their browser to save it because of the way files render in a browser.  This is akin to how one could right-click on an image on the web and save it. 
• Secondly, because Canvas treats student submissions as if they belong to the student, the annotated version of the file that is submitted by the student for an assignment actually gets saved to the student's user files in Canvas in the Submissions folder.  User's are able to download the files saved in their User Files on Canvas.