Avast has been collecting data from its antivirus software and selling it off for millions.
Avast has been capturing and selling user data from its millions of antivirus program users. Avast repackaged and sold this user data through its subsidiary Jumpshot, which offers data and analytics to tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Intuit as well as consumer goods companies like Pepsi, Home Depot, Sephora, Loreal, and more. The data collected and sold by the company includes information like Google searches, Google Maps locations, activity on LinkedIn, YouTube video visits, and information about visits to pornographic websites.
Yelp said Jumpshot was "engaged on a one-time basis," and Google did not respond to Microsoft and PGMag's request for comment.