$16.5 million Avast Antivirus settlement: Check out if you are eligible for a payment
This week the FTC informed that it has reached a settlement with Avast for its deceiving customers about collecting and reselling their private data.
Nearly 3.7 million Avast customers who purchased its antivirus software will be receiving an email from the Federal Trade Commission to notify them that they are eligible for compensation from the company. Avast reached a $16.5 million settlement with the government watchdog for deceptively marketing its antivirus software the agency said in a press release.
The FTC alleged in its complaint against the company that “Avast deceived users by claiming that its software would protect consumers’ privacy by blocking third party tracking, but it failed to adequately inform consumers that it would collect and sell their detailed, re-identifiable browsing data.” The “bait-and-switch” was carried out through a subsidiary called Jumpshot, which sold the data that Avast collected through its browser extensions and antivirus software to over 100 third parties claimed the FTC in its complaint.
The regulatory agency said in its legal filing against Avast that among other things, the company collected customers private browsing information “including web searches and webpages visited—revealing consumers’ religious beliefs, health concerns, political leanings, location, financial status, visits to child-directed content,” as well as other sensitive information.
FTC announces refund claims process for Avast customers impacted by deceptive privacy claims: https://t.co/G6KgIsdTeQ
— FTC (@FTC) February 24, 2025
Who is eligible to receive compensation from the $16.5 million Avast settlement?
The FTC said that Avast carried out the deceptive practices between August 2014 and January 2020. The notifications to those affected will arrive between now and 7 March. Consumers who receive the email informing them of their eligibility will have until 5 June, 2025 to file a claim.
“The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to submit a claim or receive a refund,” states the FTC. Eligible customers can file a claim online at www.ftc.gov/Avast. The amount that eligible claimants may receive will depend on a series of factors and the number of people that file a claim.
Those who are eligible to submit a claim that need help filing a claim or have questions are advised to call 866-290-0165 to speak to the claims administrator or email info@AvastSettlement.com.
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