Avast, a well-known cybersecurity firm, has been confronted with a $16.5 million penalty from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
After the FTC complained alleging Avast of profiting from selling consumer data to third-party entities, the company found itself in this predicament.
Contrary to the firm’s promise of guarding consumer data against tracking on the web, the FTC claimed that they’ve been acting against their word. They’ve allegedly been gathering and marketing user browsing data unbeknownst to the users, and additionally misleading them.
We obtained a copy of the complaint for you here.
Tracing way back to the late 1980s, Avast was founded in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet Bloc era. The company’s antivirus and other security software have evolved over the years.
The FTC’s complaint points to Avast Limited, the UK-based entity, and its Czech subsidiary. The agency alleges these entities promised to halt tracking cookies from amassing data and curtail other trackers from following web activity, only to later sell that data to other businesses, a practice that has been in place since 2014 at least.
In addition to this, the FTC charged that Avast misled users to believe their data would be shared in an “anonymous and aggregate form,” which allegedly wasn’t accurate.
FTC Chairperson Lina Khan emphasized the sensitivity of browsing history, stating, “A person’s browsing history can reveal extraordinarily sensitive information,” including personal details ranging from romantic inclinations, financial challenges or unpopular political ideologies, to weight management struggles and gambling addiction.
Khan further stated that Avast’s actions were not only deceptive but also a piece of unfair practice. Due to the sensitive nature of browsing data, she called for enhanced protection.
The agency suggested that Avast peddled data to a broad network of over 100 clients which included consulting firms, data brokers, and advertisement companies. Besides the hefty penalty, the firm is also faced with an FTC-imposed ban that prevents them from selling or licensing data for marketing intents.
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