Restricting file download, copy, or print in Pages or other modules

[EricMinassian]

Canvas should have a simple way of restricting published files from being downloaded, copied or printed by students. 

This is important for posting exam and quiz solutions. Many of our quiz and exam solutions or questions end up on the internet in sites such as Chegg, etc. Also, students may download solutions and give it to friends who take the class later. 

Such a feature will prevent this and will make online teaching more secure for instructors. 

I create Canvas pages for each solution and then upload a PDF file of an exam or quiz solution. I can then go to the Link Options and select "Preview inline" and "Expand Preview by Default". Then replace the title with a single dot "." and change the font color to white, so that the tile and the link to the file disappears, but I cannot get rid off the download icon. I tried a couple of things in the html editor, but it didn't work. If you know how to do this, please let me know. 

However, there should be a simple and easy option to choose for files that are opened and viewed in Canvas but need to be restricted from being downloaded, or copied and printed.

[Stef_retired]

@EricMinassian 

Thanks for sharing this idea. As it moves forward for broader discussion, consider restricting students' access by date to the PDF files as an interim solution:  How do I set usage rights and user access for a co...  —and of course, keep in mind that no machine-built solution will prevent students from taking a photo of the file.

[jcando11]

Hello Canvas,

As an instructor, it has become quite a problem when posting resource files (.ppt, word, .pdf, etc.) and while against specific directions and requests, students are downloading these files and they eventually end up being compromised and appearing on the internet or on a specific another website in part or as a complete file.

Canvas REALLY needs to provide a button within the platform for instructors to select/de-select whether a file can be downloaded.  Or even better, when uploading to the Modules sections, these files should be restricted to "View Only" and cannot be downloaded.  Any "downloadable" files can instead be uploaded to the Assignments or Discussion sections within Canvas.

This is an important PROBLEM, and from reading several similar posts, its neither new or non-recurring. 

How much attention does this topic need before Canvas will place it in a queue for resolution?

[ProductPanda]

Comments from Instructure

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[NoahBoswell1]

Problem statement:

Currently whenever an instructor uploads a personal file to their course (a video file from their computer for example), after it is embedded students and other users are able to right click and download it. I think it would be great for teachers to disable the download option on personal videos they upload. Yes, I am aware that Canvas Studio has these features however not all institutions/schools have studio, and free-for-teachers users should also have the option to keep their videos safe from being downloaded.

Proposed solution:

Why should downloads be restricted for videos? Including myself, not many instructors don't want students downloading videos, especially if they're planning on using them to cheat on a test or whatever. Sure, I can upload a video into Modules then lock/unpublish that page later in the evening so they can't see it the next day, however students can easily go into the module and download the video that would have all the study guides and resources that would easily allow them to pass if it was right in front of them. Even though we can see when they switch tabs on quizzes and tests, they can still secretly use their phone, especially if instructors aren't paying attention, to look back at notes. Another reason why is some teachers just don't want their content downloaded and shared with people they don't want to have access to it. Overall, I feel it is necessary that everyone has the option to restrict video downloads and to just have the video embedded into the page (just like studio) without having right click enabled. However, don't remove the download option completely, in case teachers do want their students or TA's/Observers to have the access to do that. Thank you.

User role(s):

admin,instructor,student,ta,designer,observer