Why we built it
A browser tab is a bit like an exam room: once you step outside, outside resources appear. Our new Interview Integrity safeguard makes sure every response you capture in Kerplunk is truly a candidate’s own work. If someone clicks to another tab, window, or app, we immediately send a push notification:
“Heads-up! Please return to your interview within 15 seconds or it will close.”
Come back in time and the recording resumes seamlessly. Stay away and the interview auto-terminates so no extra coaching, Googling, or screen-sharing sneaks in. 🌟
How it works under the hood
Tab loses focus – Kerplunk listens for the browser’s visibility
15-second countdown starts – running entirely on the client with a lightweight timer.
Push-notification fires – delivered by the candidate's browser
Candidate returns – timer cancels; same media stream keeps rolling, no data lost.
Timer expires
No extra cookies, no keystroke logging — just a visibility check and a friendly nudge.
Benefits for hiring teams
Assessment integrity – eliminates dual-screen coaching and AI prompt-injection mid-answer.
Cleaner analytics – fewer false positives from long pauses or silent footage.
Reduced infrastructure spend – encoding stops the moment integrity is compromised.
Transparency – every focus-loss event is stamped in the audit trail recruiters see.
Benefits for candidates
A gentle warning rather than an abrupt kick-out.
No lost progress if they hop back quickly.
A single, one-click permission request the first time they use Kerplunk.
Getting set up (candidates)
Allow notifications when the browser prompts you at the start of your interview.
Disable Do Not Disturb or Focus modes for the next few minutes.
Stay in the tab. If something urgent appears, just return within 15 seconds.
Quick troubleshooting
I never see the warning. Notifications are probably blocked — enable them in your computer or site settings.
Check your OS first
macOS: → System Settings → Notifications → Google Chrome → toggle Allow notifications.
Windows 10/11: Settings → System → Notifications → toggle Chrome on.
Flip Chrome’s global switch
In the URL bar, paste chrome://settings/content/notifications.
Make sure “Sites can ask to send notifications” is ON.
If you use “Use quieter messaging,” try turning it off.
The countdown triggers even when I’m still on the page. You likely have Kerplunk open in more than one tab; close duplicates and continue in a single window.
Can I resume an interview after the timeout if I left accidentally? Yes, you can access the interview again.
Admin notes
Enabled by default on all interviews.
Ready to keep interviews honest?
Interview Integrity Notifications are live today. Candidates stay on track, hiring teams stay confident, and everyone wins. 🎉
Questions? Click the chat bubble — we’re here to help!