February 22, 2024 at 08:04PM
Avast has agreed to pay $16.5 million after the FTC accused the antivirus vendor of selling customer data to third parties. The company must destroy web browsing data transferred to its subsidiary, Jumpshot, and obtain express consent for data licensing from users. Avast disputes the allegations but has settled with the FTC.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
1. Avast has agreed to pay $16.5 million to the FTC after accusations of selling customer information to third parties.
2. The FTC filed a complaint against Avast regarding its collection, storage, and sale of customer data through its browser extensions and antivirus software.
3. Avast sold data through its subsidiary, Jumpshot, which it acquired in 2014, and allegedly sold browsing information until 2020 when allegations of customer data sales arose.
4. The FTC alleged that the browsing data sold by Jumpshot included sensitive information such as users’ web searches, web pages visited, religious beliefs, health concerns, political leanings, and financial status.
5. The FTC also argued that Avast’s attempts to anonymize user information were inadequate, allowing buyers to easily re-associate the data with individuals, and contracts were worded in a way that enabled data buyers to associate non-personally identifiable information with Avast users.
6. Avast has been prohibited from selling browser data, must destroy all web browsing data transferred to Jumpshot and any algorithms derived from it, and will have to ensure express consent for data licensing from users, implement a privacy program, and inform users whose data was sold by Jumpshot about the FTC’s decision.
7. Avast, however, has not admitted guilt and disagrees with the FTC’s allegations and characterization of the facts.
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