FTC Slams Avast with $16.5 Million Fine for Selling Users' Browsing Data

The FTC fined antivirus vendor Avast $16.5M and prohibited it from selling or licensing users' web browsing data after finding that Avast and its Jumpshot unit collected, stored, and sold detailed, re-identifiable browsing histories (including sensitive information) from users—via browser extensions and antivirus software—without adequate notice or consent; regulators and browsers previously acted against Avast and Jumpshot amid widespread privacy concerns.