Beloved by millions, the antivirus failed users expectations.
Avast facing a $ 16.5 million fine from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after filing a complaint accusing the company of selling its customers data to third parties.
The FTC alleges that Avast, which promised to protect consumer data from online surveillance, actually collected and sold this data without users knowledge or consent, thereby misleading them about the usefulness and security of its products.
Founded in the late 1980s in Czechoslovakia, Avast has grown significantly over time, developing its anti-virus protection software, becoming a public company, and teaming up with other cybersecurity companies.
The FTC complaint states that Avast Limited of the United Kingdom, through its Czech subsidiary Jumpshot, has been selling data to third parties since at least 2014, despite claims to block tracking cookies and prevent other forms of surveillance of users online activity. Jumpshot was closed and liquidated in 2020.
Over the years, the company has sold customer data to a long list of more than a hundred organizations, including consulting firms, advertising companies, and data brokers, according to the FTC.
FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan stressed that browsing history can reveal extremely sensitive information, including personal interests, financial situation and political views of the user. She said that Avast's actions were not only deceptive, but also unfair, as browsing data deserves increased protection.
In addition to the multimillion-dollar fine, the FTC imposed a ban on Avast from selling or licensing data for advertising purposes. Samuel Levin, director of the FTC's Consumer Protection Bureau, expressed the opinion that Avast blatantly deceived users by claiming to protect their privacy, while in fact it compromised it.
"While we disagree with the FTC's allegations and description of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world," Avast said in a statement.
It is not known for certain whether the company actually traded customer data, but it is unlikely that it would have agreed to pay such a large fine if it was not involved in what it is accused of.
Do you trust the products of the Czech company Avast? Will you use them after this high-profile story?
Avast facing a $ 16.5 million fine from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after filing a complaint accusing the company of selling its customers data to third parties.
The FTC alleges that Avast, which promised to protect consumer data from online surveillance, actually collected and sold this data without users knowledge or consent, thereby misleading them about the usefulness and security of its products.
Founded in the late 1980s in Czechoslovakia, Avast has grown significantly over time, developing its anti-virus protection software, becoming a public company, and teaming up with other cybersecurity companies.
The FTC complaint states that Avast Limited of the United Kingdom, through its Czech subsidiary Jumpshot, has been selling data to third parties since at least 2014, despite claims to block tracking cookies and prevent other forms of surveillance of users online activity. Jumpshot was closed and liquidated in 2020.
Over the years, the company has sold customer data to a long list of more than a hundred organizations, including consulting firms, advertising companies, and data brokers, according to the FTC.
FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan stressed that browsing history can reveal extremely sensitive information, including personal interests, financial situation and political views of the user. She said that Avast's actions were not only deceptive, but also unfair, as browsing data deserves increased protection.
In addition to the multimillion-dollar fine, the FTC imposed a ban on Avast from selling or licensing data for advertising purposes. Samuel Levin, director of the FTC's Consumer Protection Bureau, expressed the opinion that Avast blatantly deceived users by claiming to protect their privacy, while in fact it compromised it.
"While we disagree with the FTC's allegations and description of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world," Avast said in a statement.
It is not known for certain whether the company actually traded customer data, but it is unlikely that it would have agreed to pay such a large fine if it was not involved in what it is accused of.
Do you trust the products of the Czech company Avast? Will you use them after this high-profile story?
