Jumping the gun before the horse has even left the barn makes no sense.
Until the changes that will occur have been plainly spelled out, speculation appears to be running ramped.
Hold your horses: Avast is still working well as it has for many years. For me, it will continue to protect
my systems as it has since 2003.
This is the latest information Available:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810005994/en/NortonLifeLock-and-Avast-to-Merge-to-Lead-the-Transformation-of-Consumer-Cyber-Safety
Avast-Statement (regarding Avast Free): At Avast, free is part of our ethos. We have been offering our product free for twenty years because we believe everyone deserves the right to be free, safe, and private online. Thanks!
Ondrej Vlcek, the cyber security mogul leading Avast into the big leagues
https://californianewstimes.com/ondrej-vlcek-the-cyber-security-mogul-leading-avast-into-the-big-leagues/
An excellent insight.