A recent investigation has reportedly uncovered startling evidence that points to Avast, the antivirus software, collecting users’ browsing history data and selling it to third parties like Microsoft and Google.
The investigation was a joint effort from the Motherboard and PCMag that relied on leaked user data and other company documents to uncover the sale of private user data without user consent. Avast antivirus solutions are installed in nearly 435 million Windows, Mac and even mobile platforms globally. Reportedly, the company harvested users’ browsing history data via plugins and have been harvesting it for third party clients.
During the investigation, a document belonging to Jumpshot, an Avast subsidiary, was recovered. This detailed information regarding antivirus software which was installed on PC’s being capable of collecting data, which Jumpsht repackaged into multiple products that people bought for their computers. Reportedly, the names of clients potentially included industry giants like Google, Yelp, Microsoft, McKinsey, Pepsi, Sephora, Home Depot, Conde Nast, Intuit, and many others.
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Since the report initially went public, Avast has stopped providing any browsing related data that is collected by extensions to Jumpshot. Furthermore, Jumpshot contracts have also been revealed which include dealings with a marketing firm that paid over $2 million for access to users’ browsing data in 2019.
Avast is being accused of tracking the exact date and time of when a user enters a website, alongside search history, and even keeping track of digital content like videos being viewed. This has raised a number of flags regarding the users being privy of this information. Currently, Avast is also being investigated for harvesting user data via its Antivirus software itself, apart from browser plugins.
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(Via)
