The new security product was launched at DETcon London 2026, at the University of London, marking a brand-new development in test security and scams prevention in high-stakes language testing.
The use of earbud devices to cheat in tests is on the increase as the technology becomes more readily offered. Stealth receivers can stream pre-recorded audio notes or real-time, two-way interactions with an accomplice or AI tool outside a safe and secure test room.
While basic customer earbuds are quickly spotted, tech-savvy fraudsters are utilizing micro-sized spy earpieces the size of a grain of rice that fit totally inside the ear canal, making them completely invisible to test invigilators.
Duolingo’s brand-new ear scan innovation utilizes the DET mobile app to collect sensor information while the phone is held near each ear and then deploys an algorithm to discover surprise earbuds.Under the style
“protecting the future of international education in a new world order”, delegates going to DETcon 2026 were able to deal with the brand-new innovation and talk to cybersecurity professionals about DET’s newly launched security and score stability white paper.The white paper details the DET’s multi-layered”human-in-the-loop AI “method to evaluate security– a structure in which artificial intelligence flags prospective abnormalities while skilled human proctors maintain last authority over all choices impacting test stability. The white paper is released at a minute of increased compliance pressure for UK institutions.Delegates were also offered a preview of new UKCISA research study into international trainees’experiences
of english language requirements which detailed trainee perceptions of different modes of testing and clashing info about what a university will accept as evidence of English proficiency. Speakers included BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner OBE, and previous home secretary, Lord Blunkett, as the conference attended to the most important challenges dealing with the sector consisting of tightening immigration compliance, the integrity of the admissions pipeline, and making sure that genuine worldwide trainees can access world-class education. Our company believe technology like ear scan assists protect the stability of our university system by preventing unfaithful, while ensuring that we keep the doors open to real students Michael Lynas, Duolingo Michael Lynas, UK and Europe country director for Duolingo stated:”Our company believe technology like ear scan helps secure the integrity of our university system by avoiding cheating, while making sure that we keep the doors available to real
trainees.”The Duolingo group were commemorating the 2 prompt awards for the DET at the International e-Assessment Awards. The test was the winner in both “AI in Test Delivery “and”The Majority Of Innovative Use of Innovation in Evaluation “categories, with Alina von Davier, chief of assessment at Duolingo, highlighting the successes in her talk on the future of evaluation, as validation of the work her
team are doing.