#Avast > "unfairly collected consumers' browsing information through the company's browser extensions and antivirus software, stored it indefinitely, and sold it without adequate notice and without consumer consent."
deceiving users by claiming that the software would block third-party tracking and protect users' privacy, but failing to inform them that it would sell their "detailed, re-identifiable browsing data" to more than 100 third-parties
The browsing information is said to have been collected since at least 2014.
The privacy backlash prompted Avast to "terminate the Jumpshot data collection and wind down Jumpshot's operations, with immediate effect."
"Browsing data [sold by Jumpshot] included information about users' web searches and the web pages they visited – revealing consumers' religious beliefs, health concerns, political leanings, location, financial status, visits to child-directed content and other sensitive information," the FTC alleged.
Avast merged with another cybersecurity company NortonLifeLock to form a new parent company called Gen Digital, which also includes AVG, Avira, and CCleaner.
https://press.avast.com/nortonlifelock-completes-merger-with-avast
"Avast promised users that its products would protect the privacy of their browsing data but delivered the opposite,"
"Avast's bait-and-switch surveillance tactics compromised consumers' privacy and broke the law."
--- FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection
it's funny how Avast is now under the same umbrella as CCleaner
BOTH Avast and CCleaner aren't trustworthy imo
in September 2017, CCleaner malware was discovered.
https://counter.social/@ecksmc/111326338423173588
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/18/16325202/ccleaner-hack-malware-security
Avast Jumpshot scandal isn't new
https://counter.social/@ecksmc/103646382147115640
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera removed Avast's browser add-ons from their respective stores, with prior research from security researcher Wladimir Palant in October 2019 deeming those extensions as spyware
https://palant.info/2019/10/28/avast-online-security-and-avast-secure-browser-are-spying-on-you/
Jumpshot described itself as the "only company that unlocks walled garden data," and claimed to have data from as many as 100 million devices as of August 2018.