TEQSA’s Legal Action Against Chegg: A Milestone in the Fight Against Academic Cheating

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has taken an unprecedented step by initiating legal proceedings against Chegg, a well-known EdTech company that provides “study help” services. For the first time, Australia’s higher education regulatory body has leveraged its new anti-cheating laws to target a large, publicly traded company. This case is a pivotal moment in the fight against academic dishonesty in Australia, raising critical issues related to academic integrity, student support, and the evolving role of technology in education. This article delves into previous cases, the implications of this new legal action, and its potential impact on universities, students, the EdTech industry, and regulators.

 

Previous Cases and Their Impact on Academic Integrity

The Chegg case builds upon several notable academic misconduct scandals that have influenced Australia’s approach to contract cheating. Examining these earlier cases offers insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the push for stronger academic integrity.

The MyMaster Case (2015)

In 2015, the MyMaster scandal rocked Australia’s academic sector, exposing widespread cheating through ghostwriting services offered by a Sydney-based company. This case, which primarily involved international students grappling with language and academic pressures, marked a significant chapter in Australia’s fight against contract cheating.

MyMaster enabled over 1,000 students from 16 universities to submit assignments written by third parties, with the company reportedly generating over $160,000 within a year. In response, universities undertook extensive reviews of degrees and assignments, leading to numerous cases of academic misconduct.

The aftermath of the MyMaster case brought heightened awareness of contract cheating and spurred universities to bolster their academic integrity frameworks. Many institutions also prioritised supporting international students, who are often targeted by academic cheating services. This case underscored the need for stronger institutional policies and technological tools to detect and prevent academic dishonesty.

Assignments4U Case (2018)

In 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) prosecuted Assignments4U, another company that offered cheating services. Unique in its approach, this case leveraged consumer protection laws rather than academic-specific legislation to combat cheating.

Assignments4U was fined $1.5 million for misleading advertising, falsely claiming its writers were experts in their respective fields. By prosecuting Assignments4U under consumer law, the ACCC set a significant precedent, illustrating that existing consumer protection legislation could be employed to tackle academic cheating.

This case highlighted the deceptive practices of some academic assistance companies, drawing attention to the need for transparent, trustworthy study support services. Many universities responded by further investing in preventative and detection measures to safeguard academic integrity.

UK Essay Mill Ban (2022)

Though it occurred abroad, the UK’s 2022 ban on essay mills established a critical international benchmark in anti-cheating legislation. This law made it illegal to advertise or sell essay-writing services, with severe penalties, including significant fines and potential prison time, for offenders. The legislation extended to foreign companies marketing to UK students, forcing many essay mills to either exit the UK market or revise their business models.

The UK’s stance on essay mills has inspired other countries, including Australia, to consider stricter anti-cheating laws. The ban placed pressure on educational institutions to expand academic support services and emphasise the importance of academic integrity, setting a standard for anti-cheating measures on a global scale.

 

The Chegg Case: A New Frontier in Anti-Cheating Efforts

TEQSA’s lawsuit against Chegg is a groundbreaking step in Australia’s ongoing battle against academic cheating. This case sets a new precedent by targeting a major EdTech company and testing the boundaries of newly enacted anti-cheating legislation.

1. Targeting a Major EdTech Platform: Unlike prior cases involving smaller companies, Chegg is a global corporation. This case could have far-reaching consequences, as regulators worldwide may scrutinise EdTech practices more closely.
2. Examining “Study Help” Services: Chegg operates as a legitimate “study help” platform, distancing itself from direct cheating services. However, the case raises critical questions about where academic assistance crosses into academic dishonesty.
3. Testing New Anti-Cheating Legislation: This lawsuit is the first significant test of Australia’s new anti-cheating laws, which are aimed at countering contract cheating. The case outcome will likely set important legal precedents for how these laws are applied in practice.
4. Global Implications: Given Chegg’s international reach, this case could influence regulatory approaches to academic integrity beyond Australia, encouraging other countries to consider similar legislation.

 

Potential Impacts of the Chegg Case

The outcome of TEQSA’s legal action against Chegg is poised to affect a range of stakeholders, from universities and students to the broader EdTech industry and regulatory bodies.

Impact on Universities

1. Enhanced Detection Efforts: Universities may increase their investment in tools for detecting cheating, including advanced plagiarism detection and behavioural analysis software that monitors student activity on study help platforms.
2. Policy Updates: Institutions might refine their academic integrity policies to address the use of “study help” services, providing clear guidelines on what constitutes academic misconduct.
3. Expanded Student Support Services: This case may push universities to bolster support services, offering additional tutoring, workshops, and study resources to decrease students' reliance on external platforms for assistance.

Impact on Students

1. Increased Awareness: The Chegg case will likely raise awareness among students regarding academic misconduct, particularly when using online study aids.
2. Behavioural Adjustments: Students may become more cautious about using platforms like Chegg, recognising the potential for disciplinary consequences.
3. Potential Consequences: If Chegg is found in violation, universities might conduct reviews of past assignments, leading to increased scrutiny of students who have used similar services.

Impact on the EdTech Industry

1. Business Model Scrutiny: The case may prompt other EdTech companies to reconsider their business models, particularly their marketing approaches and the services they offer to students.
2. Compliance Innovation: The Chegg case may inspire the development of compliance technologies, encouraging platforms to focus on interactive learning resources rather than providing direct answers to assignments.
3. Market Changes: Some EdTech companies may shift towards providing interactive educational resources that foster genuine learning without enabling academic misconduct.

Impact on Regulatory Approaches

1. International Cooperation: This case could lead to greater cross-border regulatory collaboration, especially for companies that operate globally.
2. Legislative Adjustments: Depending on the case’s outcome, calls to refine or expand anti-cheating legislation may arise, ensuring that all forms of academic assistance fall within legal boundaries.
3. Proactive Monitoring: Regulators like TEQSA might take a more proactive stance, identifying and investigating potential academic cheating services, particularly those with international operations.

 

Challenges and Considerations in the Chegg Case

The case against Chegg highlights several complex issues facing education and regulatory bodies in the digital age.

1. Defining Cheating Boundaries: The line between legitimate study aids and cheating services is often blurred. The Chegg case may clarify these boundaries, setting standards for permissible academic support.
2. Technological Advancements: With the growth of AI and online platforms, academic cheating methods are constantly evolving, creating ongoing challenges for regulators and universities.
3. Global Jurisdiction Issues: Enforcing national laws on international companies is complex, especially for platforms that serve students globally while being based in other jurisdictions.
4. Balancing Support and Cheating Prevention: Universities need to find a balance between providing sufficient academic support and preventing the misuse of study aids for dishonest purposes.
5. Protecting Academic Freedom: Strict regulations may risk infringing on academic freedom, potentially stifling legitimate learning and collaborative opportunities for students.

 

Long-Term Implications of the Chegg Case

If TEQSA succeeds in its case against Chegg, the decision could reshape the academic integrity landscape and influence educational practices worldwide.

1. Reshaping the EdTech Landscape: Companies may need to rethink their academic assistance models to align with integrity standards.
2. Setting Global Standards: This case could inspire international standards for academic integrity, particularly concerning online study platforms.
3. Changing Educational Practices: Universities may shift towards more authentic assessments, such as project-based or oral evaluations, which are less susceptible to academic dishonesty.
4. Emphasis on Independent Learning: The case could encourage universities to cultivate students’ critical thinking and independent learning skills, lessening reliance on external platforms.
5. Technological Innovation: The case may drive advancements in educational technology, emphasising learning and conceptual understanding rather than direct answers.

TEQSA’s legal action against Chegg represents a landmark moment in Australia’s fight to uphold academic integrity. By targeting a major EdTech company under new anti-cheating laws, this case signals a significant escalation in regulatory efforts to deter academic dishonesty. The outcome will likely have broad implications for Australia’s higher education sector and may influence academic integrity policies globally.

As this case progresses, it is essential for regulators, universities, students, and EdTech companies to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of academic integrity. Balancing the prevention of academic cheating with providing legitimate support will remain a core challenge. Ultimately, the Chegg case could catalyse a rethinking of learning, assessment, and support frameworks in the digital era, fostering a stronger foundation for academic integrity worldwide.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the significance of TEQSA’s legal action against Chegg?
   This case is notable as it’s the first time TEQSA has pursued legal action under Australia’s new anti-cheating laws, targeting a major EdTech company. It represents a significant step forward in addressing academic cheating on a global scale.
2. How does the Chegg case differ from previous academic cheating cases in Australia?
   Unlike prior cases, which involved smaller companies, Chegg is a global, publicly traded company. Additionally, Chegg’s platform offers “study help” rather than direct essay-writing services, making this case a complex test of what constitutes academic cheating under the new legislation.
3. What impact could the Chegg case have on students?
   The case may raise student awareness about what constitutes cheating, particularly in using study aid platforms. If Chegg is found guilty, students who used similar services could face scrutiny or disciplinary action from their universities.
4. What are the broader implications of this case for the EdTech industry?
   If successful, the case may drive EdTech companies to reassess their business models to ensure compliance with academic integrity standards, potentially shifting away from direct answer provision to more interactive learning resources.
5. Could this case lead to changes in global academic integrity standards?
   Yes, given Chegg’s international presence, this case could encourage other countries to adopt similar anti-cheating legislation and work together to regulate online academic services, promoting a unified approach to academic integrity across borders.