Yeah, that is what my exam experiences have been of zero tolerance for phones and sometimes laptops if exam were paper and pencil. It makes the current news now so puzzling since phones back then despite not having AI access were just as capable back then, and outside help through internet and messages was easy to get so professors back then had the same concerns of electronics being used for cheating.

Only change then and now seems like professors are not enforcing electronic restrictions as strictly anymore, and students to no surprise are taking advantage of being able to cheat out in the open.