Federal Trade Commission Archives

Tech Optimizer

October 17, 2026

Avast settlement: Who gets a second payment

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns about Avast's data collection practices through its antivirus software and browser extensions since at least 2014, alleging that it collected sensitive user information. The FTC's settlement order restricts Avast from misrepresenting its data usage and requires the company to pay a total of .5 million to affected users. Claims related to the settlement must be submitted by 2025, with initial payments starting in December 2025. A second round of payments will distribute over .5 million to 91,093 individuals who accepted their initial compensation, with instructions for cashing checks and receiving payments via PayPal and Zelle.

Winsage

October 3, 2026

Microsoft to roll out age verification system on Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing the Windows Age API to enhance user experience on Windows 11 by verifying age brackets without requiring users to disclose their exact birth dates. The API will categorize users into age ranges: under 10, 10-12, 13-15, 16-17, or 18 and over, and will indicate whether age status is verified or self-reported. Alongside this, Microsoft is launching the Microsoft Age Verification (MAV) system, allowing users to verify their age once through their Microsoft account, reducing the risk of oversharing personal data. This initiative responds to regulatory scrutiny and stricter global child protection laws requiring platforms to verify user ages. In late 2025, a US court approved a settlement between Disney and the FTC over unauthorized data collection from children under 13, highlighting the need for age assurance technology. In February 2026, the FTC issued guidance supporting age verification technology, stating it would not enforce actions against services collecting personal data for age verification if the data is deleted after processing. The Windows Age API is currently available to Windows Insider users, with plans for broader release, while the MAV system has been rolled out in regions like Singapore, Brazil, and Australia.

Tech Optimizer

August 24, 2026

Fake Microsoft security scans trick victims into uninstalling their antivirus

A surge of fraudulent websites claiming to verify antivirus software functionality has emerged, using the name SysScan and misleadingly asserting that Windows no longer supports third-party antivirus solutions. These sites conduct fake security scans, gather personal information, and set up a refund scam. Eleven such websites were found hosted on a single server, executing similar deceptive tactics. They can access basic browser data but cannot conduct genuine security scans. Microsoft continues to support third-party antivirus software, and legitimate refund processes do not require uninstalling security tools. The scams instruct users to remove their antivirus software to facilitate further manipulation and to collect information about the antivirus in use. The customer information forms collect extensive personal data and are designed to send this information to a Telegram bot API. Victims are promised a refund call after submitting their information, which is part of the scam's manipulation. Signs of such scams include claims of deep problems with the computer, consistently negative diagnostic results, requests to uninstall antivirus software, and demands for banking information. If affected, victims should disconnect from the internet, remove remote-access tools, and contact their bank. The hosting IP address for these sites is 157.230.180.90, with multiple associated domains listed.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2026

Don’t get victimized by this updated version of the McAfee email scam

Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent McAfee renewal notices claiming users owe money for antivirus subscriptions they never purchased. These emails create a sense of urgency, warning that devices are unprotected or that charges will be processed automatically. The scams have become more sophisticated, using AI-generated emails and counterfeit invoices to appear credible. Although Microsoft is the most impersonated company, McAfee scams are on the rise, featuring messages about expiring or automatically renewed subscriptions costing hundreds of dollars. Victims are often misled into contacting scammers posing as customer-service agents, who may request sensitive information or control over their devices. McAfee advises customers to verify subscription status through their official website and not to respond to unsolicited emails. Warning signs of these scams include suspicious sender addresses, generic greetings, grammatical errors, unusually large charges, and urgent demands for action. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about tech-support and antivirus scams, urging them to report phishing emails and monitor accounts for unauthorized activity.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

Azure HorizonDB Enters Public Preview: Web IQ Already Powers Copilot and ChatGPT

Microsoft announced the public preview of Azure HorizonDB, a fully managed PostgreSQL-compatible database designed for agentic AI workloads, during Microsoft Build 2026 in San Francisco. HorizonDB features a "database-as-logs" architecture, allowing for sub-millisecond multi-zone commit latency and independent scaling of compute and storage. It incorporates a Rust-based storage engine, native DiskANN vector search, and in-database AI model invocation. Additionally, Microsoft launched Web IQ, a web-grounding API layer integrated into Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT, which provides passage-level structured evidence objects rather than full documents. Web IQ is model-agnostic and aims to enhance information density and reduce costs. Both services are currently in limited availability, with HorizonDB open for preview signups across five Azure regions.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2026

Avast Free Antivirus for Windows: Features, Limits, and US Use

Avast Free Antivirus for Windows is a free malware protection software designed for American home users, operating under Gen Digital, which also includes Norton. It provides essential security features such as real-time scanning, on-demand scans, and regular updates, but has limitations compared to paid versions, including the absence of features like VPN and advanced ransomware protection. The software is intended for home PC use and is available for download on Windows PCs. While it serves as a basic defense against common malware threats, it is not suitable for small businesses needing comprehensive security solutions. Users are advised to maintain safe browsing habits even with the antivirus installed.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

I’ve been playing games for 40 years, writing about them for 20, and I’m here to say parts of Roblox need to be legislated out of existence

An experiment by Professor Marcus Carter's team found that children quickly converted gift cards into Robux on Roblox, raising concerns about the platform's monetization strategies, which include deceptive practices in 14 of the top 15 games. Tactics like "near miss" visuals and countdown timers encourage spending, while many children reported being scammed through item swaps and gem-doubling schemes. Complaints to the Federal Trade Commission from organizations like Fairplay and the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation highlight how Roblox's design exploits children's developmental vulnerabilities, particularly impulse control. One case involved a 10-year-old girl who spent over ,000 in two months despite parental attempts to limit purchases. Critics argue that Roblox prioritizes profit over user well-being, with features designed to maximize engagement rather than genuine enjoyment. Experts advocate for legislative changes to address these issues, warning that without intervention, Roblox will continue to exploit young users.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that’s not cool—sort of

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has addressed concerns to the CEOs of major financial service companies, including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe, regarding the potential denial of services to customers based on political or religious beliefs. The letters warn that such practices could lead to investigations and enforcement actions. This initiative follows an incident involving Valve, where Mastercard was alleged to have pressured the company into removing adult-themed games from its Steam platform, although Mastercard clarified it did not directly influence the removals. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson emphasized the importance of ensuring all law-abiding individuals can engage in commerce. The situation is further complicated by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about financial institutions surveilling individuals involved in conservative activities. Ferguson urged Mastercard's CEO to prevent unlawful debanking practices by its network members. There is uncertainty regarding a proposed rule change that may not significantly alter the discretion financial institutions have in customer-related decisions. Inquiries have been made to Valve and the FTC about the implications of these letters for adult video games on the Steam platform.

AppWizard

March 12, 2026

Meta Rolls Out Scam Warnings on Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp

Meta is implementing measures to combat scams on its platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, by using artificial intelligence and forming enforcement partnerships. Users will receive real-time alerts on Facebook for suspicious friend requests, and Messenger will enhance scam detection by analyzing conversation patterns. WhatsApp will notify users of unusual device-linking attempts to secure accounts. Meta has removed over 159 million scam ads and disabled 10.9 million fraudulent accounts, collaborating with law enforcement to disable more than 150,000 accounts and effect 21 arrests. The company plans to mandate advertiser verification for high-risk categories to reduce fraudulent ads and aims for verified advertisers to account for 90% of ad revenue. The success of these initiatives will be measured by reductions in reported losses and chargebacks.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Meta Adds Scam Detection to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger

Meta is introducing new scam detection tools for its platforms—Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger—to enhance security. Facebook users will receive alerts for suspicious friend requests, while WhatsApp will issue device-linking warnings to prevent unauthorized access. Advanced algorithms will analyze conversation patterns for signs of fraud, prompting users to report suspicious messages for AI analysis. Users can choose to block or report accounts based on these alerts, ensuring privacy through opt-in sharing of messages. The initiative responds to rising fraud statistics, with the FTC noting significant consumer losses and increased phishing attempts. Key metrics for success will include the interception of suspicious interactions and user engagement with reporting features. Users are advised to maintain skepticism toward unsolicited communications and enable two-step verification for added security.