I asked a similar question recently, not because I thought anything devious was going on… and I still don’t. have a look here.

http://www.avast.com/forum/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=1492

I was more than satisfied with the replies I received, both on the forum and in PM’s.

I don’t think you will find Avast sending any irrelavent info anywhere.

Hope you eventually agree as it is a very good a-v.

Good luck,
Walker