Millions of Avast antivirus software customers are getting a refund. Here's why.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: February 24, 2025 / 2:58 PM EST


Millions of Americans who purchased antivirus software from Avast may be eligible for compensation due to a $16.5 million settlement by the company with the Federal Trade Commission, the regulatory agency announced on Monday.

Nearly 3.7 million consumers who bought the software from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020 can expect emails to arrive in their inboxes this week or next notifying them of their eligibility to apply for compensation, the FTC stated.

According to regulators, Avast for years collected information on customers through its antivirus software and browser extensions including data on:

religious beliefs

health concerns

political leanings

locations

financial status

Avast claimed its software would protect user privacy by blocking third-party tracking, but sold the their information without people's consent to more than 100 third-parties through a subsidiary called Jumpshot, the FTC alleged in 2024. Starting Monday, the agency will send email notices to nearly 3.7 million people who may qualify for a refund.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/avast-antivirus-refund-ftc-what-to-know/

---

Link to FTC PRESS RELEASE - FTC Announces Refund Claims Process for Avast Customers Impacted by Deceptive Privacy Claims

[Martin68]

1. I've always suspected AVAST was intrusive.

[mahina]

2. That explains a lot. I don't even have that email address anymore. Boo. Thank you BRDS!

[DENVERPOPS]

3. Better hurry up and get your money

A few more weeks and the FTC will be long gone..............

[hunter]

4. Microsoft's own anti-virus software has been more than adequate for a long time now.

Avast knew this back in 2014 and decided to turn to the Dark Side.

Alas, there's no helping naive or demented users who turn control of their computers over to random scammers who call them on the phone or send them scary emails.