Vice and PCMag reported that they obtained documents which show how the Avast anti-virus is used to effectively sell more detailed versions of people’s Internet browsing histories.
The data is monetised through an Avast subsidiary called Jumpshot.
According to the reports, Vice and PCMag obtained Jumpshot data that includes web searches on Google, location searches on Google Maps, visits to LinkedIn pages, specific YouTube videos, and interactions on porn websites.
In some cases it is possible to see what search term someone entered on a porn website and which specific video they watched, Vice reported. This data also includes exact timestamps.
Oh dear this is just not good… you see the trend with “free” services on the Internet? They are clearly coming at a cost that some are not willing to pay in terms of privacy – well then be prepared to pay in dollars. There are many really free (as in cost and freedoms) services on the Internet but you’ll notice that most do ask for donations if you can afford it, because services cost real money to operate. So operators either get it from selling the service, selling adverts (which we don’t like and block), selling your data behind your back, or funding from their personal funds if they can afford it. Nothing is free.
#technology #privacy
#^Avast anti-virus spies on every click and sells your data – Reports
Free anti-virus program Avast tracks the behaviour of its users and sells people’s private data to other companies, Vice and PCMag reported.