Editing Avast (section)

==Collection and sale of user data==

In late 2019, Avast [[browser extension]]s were found to collect user data, including browsing behavior and history, and send it to a remote server. The discovery led to the extensions of the Avast and AVG brands being temporarily removed from the [[Google Chrome]], [[Firefox]] and [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] extension stores, however, they returned a short time later as there was no concrete evidence that demonstrated a breach of private data of the users.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brewster|first=Thomas|title=Are You One Of Avast's 400 Million Users? This Is Why It Collects And Sells Your Web Habits.|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Li|first=Abner|date=2019-12-18|title=Google removes Avast, AVG extensions from Chrome Web Store after data collection concerns|url=https://9to5google.com/2019/12/17/chrome-avast-extensions-removed/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=[[9to5Google]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-18|title=Some Avast extensions dropped from Chrome Web Store after data collection abuses|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/12/18/some-avast-extensions-dropped-from-chrome-web-store-after-data-collection-abuses/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Android Police|language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2020, a joint investigation by [[Vice (magazine)|Motherboard]] and [[PCMag]] found that the [[Avast Antivirus]] and [[AVG AntiVirus]] Free version were collecting user data, which was being resold to personalize advertising through a subsidiary, Jumpshot.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Cost of Avast's Free Antivirus: Companies Can Spy on Your Clicks|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-cost-of-avasts-free-antivirus-companies-can-spy-on-your-clicks|access-date=2021-09-28|website=PCMAG|date=27 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Leaked Documents Expose the Secretive Market for Your Web Browsing Data|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/avast-antivirus-sells-user-browsing-data-investigation/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210329073046/https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjdkq7/avast-antivirus-sells-user-browsing-data-investigation |archive-date=29 March 2021 |access-date=2021-09-28|website=Vice.com|date=27 January 2020 |url-status=live|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Avast packaged detailed user data to be sold for millions of dollars|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020-01-27-avast-jumpshot-selling-user-data.html|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Engadget|date=30 January 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> The leaked documents showed that Jumpshot offered to provide its customers with "Every search. Every click. On every site." from more than 100 million compromised devices. In response, Avast announced on January 30, 2020, that it would immediately shut down Jumpshot and cease all operations due to the backlash of its users' data privacy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Avast to Commence Wind Down of Subsidiary Jumpshot|url=https://press.avast.com/avast-to-commence-wind-down-of-subsidiary-jumpshot|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Avast to Commence Wind Down of Subsidiary Jumpshot|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-01|title=Website Metrics: Traffic Statistics, Analytics & Conversion|url=https://www.jumpshot.com/|access-date=2021-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101094748/https://www.jumpshot.com/|archive-date=1 January 2020}}</ref>

On the basis of the information revealed, on 11 February 2020 the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection announced that it had initiated a preliminary investigation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uoou.cz/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=200156&id=1896|title=Statement on Avast case|date=11 February 2020|website=The Office for Personal Data Protection|language=en|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref>

In February 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] fined Avast $16.5 million for collecting user data and reselling that data.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-ftc-proposes-order-banning-avast-selling-browsing-data-ads-2024-02-22/|title=Avast to pay $16.5 mln to settle US charges linked to user data sale|date=22 February 2024|newspaper=Reuters|accessdate=25 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes, Require It to Pay $16.5 Million Over Charges the Firm Sold Browsing Data After Claiming Its Products Would Block Online Tracking |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/ftc-order-will-ban-avast-selling-browsing-data-advertising-purposes-require-it-pay-165-million-over |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Federal Trade Commission |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, settlement notices were sent to Avast customers by email.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Avast Settlement |url=https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/avast-settlement |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Federal Trade Commission |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title=Millions of Avast antivirus software customers are getting a refund. Here's why. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/avast-antivirus-refund-ftc-what-to-know/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>