Except this software tends to do so much worse, like scanning hard drives and monitoring processes and network traffic.

Source: Forced to install one, refused, and getting given a spare laptop instead.

Perhaps they do, but if you think about it is it unreasonable?

You are taking an exam with an unknown active computer in front of you. You could have any sort of material displayed on screen and/or connectivity to a third party, or whatnot.

An alternative, which you mention, is to be given a trusted laptop for the duration of the exam. A potential issue there is that they may not have so many devices available to distribute.

There are always trade-offs.

Yes, it is unreasonable to force people to install literal spyware on their computers.

It’s funny how lots of students (rightly so) get defensive about software that scans your hard drive and monitors processes, but then they install all these random games or apps like TikTok on their phone which comes with a cocktail of more invasive access.

I mean, I also refuse to install TikTok and Valorant for the same reasons. Don't paint us with the same brush. At least Android and iOS have a decent sandbox. Aka they can't just index my files.

The equivalent here is your examiner rummaging through your backpack and yelling at you because you stared off into space pondering a hard question.