Avast Users to Benefit from FTC Settlement
In a significant development for millions of users, Avast antivirus software is set to distribute a portion of its .5 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) following allegations of misleading marketing practices. The FTC announced on Monday that it will be reaching out to approximately 3.7 million consumers who purchased Avast antivirus software between August 2014 and January 2020, with notifications expected to arrive by March 7.
The settlement stems from claims that Avast misled its users regarding the privacy protections offered by its software. While promoting its product as a shield against third-party tracking, Avast reportedly failed to adequately disclose that it was collecting and selling users’ personal internet browsing data to other entities.
As part of the settlement, Avast is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage practices in the future. Additionally, the company is barred from selling or licensing any browsing data collected from its products for advertising purposes.
Eligible consumers are encouraged to file a claim online with the FTC between now and June 5. However, potential claimants should temper their expectations regarding payout amounts. The FTC has indicated that the distribution will depend on various factors, including the total number of claims submitted. If every eligible consumer were to file a claim, the average payment would amount to approximately .47 each.
