NOTICE - Notification to Upgrade from Free is an FTC Violation; Demand Cure

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
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Hello,I’ve been using the Avast Free Antivirus for many years. Over time, I’ve been frustrated by the notifications Avast pops up pushing me to upgrade to premium, or telling me I have unaddressed systems issues which when I click to ‘resolve’ tell me they can only be resolved by purchasing the paid version of Avast.

I believe in purchasing software products that provide real value to me. The services and functions Avast provides do not meet my criteria to warrant purchase. This is my way as a consumer to encourage companies to innovate and provide value to consumers that consumers actually need. It is also a way to dissuade bad business practices which stifle competition and innovation. If you want money, make something worth buying.

The repeated notifications by Avast disrupts my attention, distracting me from my work - they are an unwelcome intrusion. I’ve tried tweaking the notification settings (settings>general>notifications>Pop-up notifications treatment>Limited Mode), but I still get these unwelcome popups which clearly do not meeting the threshold criteria defined in the Limited Mode description ("Shows alerts when a malicious attack is detected, but blocks any pop-up offers).

These intrusive popups have been an ongoing annoyance. Recently my license for Avast Free expired, and I got a notification for this. I attempted to renew the free license. But like other users have reported on this forum recently, no matter what they do they cannot renew the license. They keep getting pushed to purchase Avast Premium. This by itself is legally questionable. But that Avast repeatedly notifies users who have specified not to be notified, means they are nagging us. Which is one of the Dark Patterns the FTC defines as inappropriate.

See the FTCs report “Bringing Dark Patterns to Light” published in 2022. Based upon the Avast products behaviours as a user, and a very limited review of the FTC criteria for Dark Patterns, I assert the Avast software has the Dark Patterns: Under the Type “COERCED ACTION”, Variant “Nagging”. Under the Type “INTERFACE INTERFERENCE”, Variants “Misdirection”, “False Hierarchy or Pressured Upselling”, “Disguised Ads”. Under the Type “ASYMMETRIC CHOICE”, variant “Preselection”.

I demand Avast cease in it’s unfair and deceptive business practices and act to immediately cure the Avast programs behaviours to notify users to renew their free license, while preventing them from renewing that license, and only leaving them the option to purchase a paid license to make the “nagging” notifications go away.

Any action by Avast to remove this post or other posts complaining about this issue will result in my immediately filing a compliant with the FTC apprising the FTC of your efforts to suppress this information and destroy potential evidence.

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Also, to clarify, the reason you’re getting this notice, is because you succeeded in getting and maintaining my attention through the unlawful behaviors of your Avast software. You invited this scrutiny. Rest assured, you do not want my attention to linger any further upon Avast and it’s practices.

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First, I’m an Avast user and not an Avast Team member.

There are many such post about the problem in renewing Avast Free which a fix was provided, but failed. Some have found a clean uninstall and reinstall of Avast Free works for some but not for all

What unlawful behaviour (its a bug) ?

You are free to uninstall Avast Free, no restrictions there.

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“What unlawful behaviour (its a bug) ?”

Allegedly a bug. A bug can become an intended feature. This bug, strangely results in a behavior that encourages users to upgrade to paid in order to get rid of an annoying notification. This bug also strangely persists. That there are many posts about this problem suggest Avast is very aware of it, and despite that awareness has failed to resolve it.

In legal terms, a fully investigation by FTC or attorneys would include evaluating this 'alledged’ bug and determining how hard would it really be to fix it.

My expectation is expert witnesses would report it would be simple and easy to fix, and its persistence means the bugs presence is an intended behavior of Avast software.

My ability to uninstall and ditch Avast has no bearing on the laws Avast must comply with.

Additionally, that so many people have had this problem, makes it a matter of public interest and consumer protection. The FTC is interested in such matters. Attorneys focused on class actions are also interested in such matters. This post is about giving Avast the opportunity to avoid escalation, and at the same time, given users the opportunity to learn their user-problem is a legal-problem.

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Consumer protection, it’s free, Avast could even remove it should they decide not to provide a free version. Given there are many posts and replies by an Avast Team member seeking log reports to try and track it down.

If you aren’t prepared to even look, can’t help further than that.

I guess if that is your “LastQuestion” this is my LastAnswer.

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Google offers many free services, and has many expensive lawsuits and fines related to its practices. I generally like Google and think those lawsuits are just a necessary part of keeping Google from devolving into a stagnate monopoly. A check; a balance. The laws purpose dictates how and when it applies. You may wish to study this particular area of law and how it applies to Avast before you take a side.

I did look through that thread before I posted. My post is as a result of reviewing that information and seeing a long line of people without a clear solution or ETA for a solution. My original post described that these legal issues are not limited to problems reactivating the free license, but also extend to other elements of the Avast interface. In short, there’s substantial problems with how Avast has been conducting its business.

Avast just settled a lawsuit with the FTC. You can search for the web page online. Here’s an excerpt from the FTCs June 2025 release: “Avast paid money to settle charges brought by the FTC. According to the FTC, Avast collected and sold users’ information to third parties without users’ consent. Now, the FTC is reaching out to users affected by Avast’s privacy failures.”.

The question is, does Avast want another lawsuit/settlement?

Avast might have fewer legal problems if it’s users did more to hold them to account. You should do better David if you really care about Avast as a product.

My attention to Avast, and my analysis related to the Dark Patterns area of law, is because I’m already preparing a lawsuit against another entity which involves these laws. The problem with Avast and it’s software is a problem distracting me from my work, that I just want ‘gone’. Gone for me, and everyone else. My animosity is I’m resentful that I have to do this legal work, and every time someone or something interferes with this work, every additional obstacle added to this obstacles course working against me, my enmity towards their misconduct grows in intensity. I’m tired of the greedy malfeasance of others making my life difficult. I won’t tolerate it, even from a ‘free’ product.

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The well-worn idea is that if the product is free, the product is you. I don’t condone any illegal activities Avast (or anyone) may have done, nor any underhanded tactics, but the upshot of positions such as these may well be that Avast, like so many other providers, will simply discontinue free product lines. If that happens, and if things like this contribute to it, the effect is to punish end users, not the company. You’re not going to drive them out of business, but you may drive them out of the free software category if it becomes more hassle than they feel it’s worth. Vote with your wallet, that’s your right and your power as a consumer.

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An Update of this matter. The issue is resolved. I took no action beyond waiting for Avast to take action. Which would indicate, it was always something they had control over. I hope we can put this behind us, and never have to revisit questionable business practices.