The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reaching out to consumers who purchased antivirus software from Avast, following allegations of deceptive marketing practices. The FTC’s complaint, filed in February 2024, accused Avast of misleading users by asserting that its software would safeguard their privacy by blocking third-party tracking. However, it was revealed that the company did not sufficiently inform consumers about its own data collection practices, which included selling detailed, re-identifiable browsing data to over 100 third parties through its subsidiary, Jumpshot.
Settlement Details
As part of a settlement with the FTC, Avast has agreed to pay .5 million, a sum designated for compensating affected consumers. This settlement imposes strict requirements on Avast, prohibiting the company from misrepresenting its data usage and from selling or licensing any browsing data from its products for advertising purposes.
The FTC is in the process of notifying approximately 3,690,813 consumers who acquired Avast antivirus software between August 2014 and January 2020. Eligible individuals can expect to receive an email notice by March 7, 2025, informing them of their rights to file a claim.
Claim Process
Consumers wishing to submit a claim can do so online at www.ftc.gov/Avast. The amount of compensation will vary based on several factors, including the total number of claims submitted. The deadline for filing claims is set for June 5, 2025.
For those with questions or needing assistance with the claims process, the claims administrator can be reached at 866-290-0165 or via email at info@AvastSettlement.com. It is important to note that the FTC does not require individuals to pay any fees or provide sensitive account information to submit a claim or receive a refund.
