Leaked documents expose Avast antivirus subsidiary selling web browsing data (vice.com)

Article summary

Avast, an antivirus company, has been selling web browsing data of its users to various companies through its subsidiary Jumpshot. The data includes information on users' searches, clicks, and movements across websites, and can be used to track user behavior. Avast claims to have more than 435 million active users per month, and Jumpshot says it has data from 100 million devices. The company has announced it will stop the Jumpshot data collection and wind down Jumpshot's operations after the investigation was made public.

Main themes

• data privacy
• anonymization
• tech industry ethics
• antivirus software
• user tracking
• regulation and transparency

What commenters say

• The sale of browsing data by Avast is seen as a breach of trust and an invasion of privacy.
• Some commenters believe that the data is heavily anonymized and aggregated, making it less of a concern.
• Others argue that anonymization is not effective and that the data can still be used to identify individuals.
• The practice of selling user data is viewed as a common problem in the tech industry, where companies prioritize profits over user privacy.
• Some commenters suggest that using Windows Defender as an antivirus solution is a more private alternative.
• There is disagreement over whether the article is sensationalized or if the issue is a legitimate concern.
• The use of terms like 'potential clients' in the article is seen as potentially misleading or exaggerated.
• The discussion highlights the need for greater transparency and regulation in the tech industry to protect user privacy.