Federal Trade Commission Archives

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

US court throws out FTC appeal against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not sufficiently prove that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would restrict the availability of the Call of Duty franchise on competing platforms. The court upheld a previous ruling that blocked the FTC's attempt to halt the merger, stating that the FTC's case lacked adequate evidentiary support and did not raise substantial questions about reduced competition. The merger, initially announced in 2022, received approval in 2023, allowing Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard into its portfolio.

Tech Optimizer

May 6, 2025

Money for Avast antivirus software users

If you purchased antivirus software from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020, you may be eligible for compensation from a settlement related to a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit. Eligible individuals will receive an email from “Avast Settlement” with instructions to submit a claim by June 5, 2025. Claims can be submitted through the FTC’s Avast Settlement page, and refunds are expected to be distributed in 2026. For assistance, contact the refund administrator at 1-866-290-0165 or info@AvastSettlement.com.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal messaging app? Can Bucks County, PA agencies use it

Signal is an encrypted messaging application owned by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, known for its end-to-end encryption. The app has drawn attention in a controversy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, involving allegations that school board members used Signal to communicate after being instructed to retain records related to a Sunshine Act lawsuit. This has raised concerns about the potential destruction of evidence, as Signal's auto-delete feature may violate federal record retention laws. Additionally, during the Trump administration, Mike Waltz inadvertently included a journalist in a Signal chat discussing a military strike, raising questions about the appropriateness of using commercial messaging for sensitive government communications. The use of auto-deleting messages has sparked debate regarding public accountability and compliance with the Presidential Records Act, as many records must be retained for a minimum of two years.

Tech Optimizer

March 10, 2025

Refunds Headed to Users Who Fell for Fake Antivirus, Computer Repair Scams

Restoro and Reimage will pay over million to settle allegations of misleading consumers into subscribing to their computer repair services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it will distribute 6,375 to over 700,000 affected consumers, particularly older adults, who were misled by deceptive pop-up ads claiming their computers had issues. The FTC's investigation revealed that these companies provided false antivirus alerts and recommended expensive repair plans. Payments to eligible consumers will be issued via PayPal on March 13 and 14, with recipients advised to redeem their payments within 30 days. Both companies are now prohibited from misrepresenting security or performance issues and engaging in deceptive telemarketing practices, and their websites have been taken offline.

Tech Optimizer

March 2, 2025

Your Privacy Sold? FTC Forces Avast to Pay $16.5M for Data Misuse—Find Out If You’re Eligible

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued claim forms to approximately 3.7 million consumers affected by misleading marketing tactics related to Avast antivirus software. The FTC's complaint, filed in February 2024, accused Avast of falsely assuring customers of privacy protection while collecting and selling identifiable browsing data to over 100 third parties through its subsidiary, Jumpshot. As part of a settlement, Avast is required to pay .5 million in compensation and is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage policies or selling browsing data for advertising. The FTC will notify 3,690,813 customers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020, with email notifications sent until March 7, 2025. Eligible consumers can submit claims at www.ftc.gov/Avast, with compensation amounts varying based on the number of claims filed.

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2025

FTC rules Avast customers entitled to $16.5 million settlement — how to claim your share

If you purchased Avast antivirus software between August 2014 and January 2020, you should take immediate action due to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement of .5 million for privacy violations. Avast collected personal information through its software and sold it via a subsidiary, Jumpshot, without user consent. Affected customers will receive an email from the FTC by March 7, and they can file claims online until June 5, 2025. Payments will depend on the number of claims and are expected to be distributed in 2026. For assistance, a refund administrator can be contacted at 1-866-290-0165. Affected customers are also advised to consider identity theft protection and monitor their credit reports.

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2025

FTC Announces Refund Claims Process for Avast Customers Impacted by Deceptive Privacy Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint against Avast for deceptive marketing practices related to its antivirus software, claiming it misled users about protecting their privacy while collecting and selling browsing data. As part of a settlement, Avast will pay .5 million to compensate affected consumers and is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage or selling browsing data for advertising. The FTC will notify approximately 3.7 million consumers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020, with emails expected by March 7, 2025. Eligible individuals can file claims online by June 5, 2025, without needing to pay or provide sensitive information. The FTC has also reported over million in refunds to consumers in 2024.

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2025

If you use Avast’s antivirus software, you might be owed money — here’s how to get it

In 2020, Avast faced backlash for collecting user data without adequate disclosure and selling it to over a hundred companies through its subsidiary, Jumpshot. Investigations revealed vulnerabilities in their anonymization process, allowing users to be re-identified. In response to public outcry, Avast shut down Jumpshot and CEO Ondrej Vlcek apologized. The FTC initiated an investigation, resulting in penalties for Avast in February 2024, including a ban on selling user data and a settlement of .5 million. Customers who purchased Avast products between August 2014 and January 2020 may be eligible for a refund, with emails containing Claim Numbers sent starting February 24, 2025. Refund amounts will depend on the number of claims filed.

Tech Optimizer

February 25, 2025

Avast to pay $16.5 million to antivirus software users: How to claim, deadline, and other details

Avast has reached a settlement with the FTC, agreeing to pay .5 million to users due to allegations of misleading privacy claims while collecting and selling user data through its subsidiary, Jumpshot. Approximately 3,690,813 consumers who purchased Avast's antivirus software between August 2014 and January 2020 are eligible for compensation. Eligible consumers must file claims by June 5, 2025, and refunds are expected to be processed by mail in 2026. Payments will vary based on the number of claims submitted.

Tech Optimizer

February 24, 2025

How to Get Your Share of the FTC’s $16.5 Million Avast Settlement

Avast antivirus software will distribute a portion of its .5 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to approximately 3.7 million consumers who purchased its software between August 2014 and January 2020. The settlement follows allegations that Avast misled users about its privacy protections and failed to disclose that it was collecting and selling users' personal internet browsing data. Avast is now prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage practices and from selling or licensing browsing data for advertising purposes. Eligible consumers can file a claim online with the FTC until June 5, but payouts will vary based on the number of claims submitted, with an average payment estimated at about [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: 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." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].47 if all eligible consumers file a claim.