Hundreds of thousands of Avast antivirus software program clients are getting a refund. Here is why.
Hundreds of thousands of People who bought antivirus software program from Avast could also be eligible for compensation on account of a $16.5 million settlement by the corporate with the Federal Commerce Fee, the regulatory company introduced on Monday.
Almost 3.7 million customers who purchased the software program from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020 can anticipate emails to reach of their inboxes this week or subsequent notifying them of their eligibility to use for compensation, the FTC acknowledged.
In accordance with regulators, Avast for years collected data on clients via its antivirus software program and browser extensions together with knowledge on:
- non secular beliefs
- well being issues
- political leanings
- areas
- monetary standing
Avast claimed its software program would shield consumer privateness by blocking third-party monitoring, however offered the their data with out folks’s consent to greater than 100 third-parties via a subsidiary known as Jumpshot, the FTC alleged in 2024. Beginning Monday, the company will ship e mail notices to just about 3.7 million individuals who might qualify for a refund.
Eligible customers can file a declare on-line at www.ftc.gov/Avast. In the event you get an e mail with a declare quantity, you may apply for a fee on-line at www.avastsettlement.com/file-a-claim.
Those that need assistance submitting a declare can name the refund administrator at 1-866-290-0165. To be eligible, customers should file a declare by June 5. Funds will rely upon components together with how many individuals file a declare.
Funds are anticipated to be mailed in 2026, in response to the FTC. Avast didn’t reply to a request for remark.
