Using Avast Premium Security 24.8.x. But now concerned about Data Privacy!

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I recently started using Avast Premium Security 24.8.x on my Win 11 machine. I read yesterday that Avast was fined

Avast fined $16.5 million for ‘privacy’ software that actually sold users’ browsing data >:(

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/22/24080135/avast-security-privacy-software-ftc-fine-data-harvesting

After reading this I am now concerned about the data that Avast may be collecting from my device (as an AV it has visibility of all actions done on my machine) like Websites I visit and its corresponding IP addresses, My downloads, The files I open on my device etc. This may not be the case now and Avast may have stopped collecting user data and selling it on paid products.

I am using the Avast AV in EU. May I know

  1. Whether Avast collects or keeps any data (logs) related to my device usage like my internet usage, my downloads, the files I open on my device etc. ?

  2. If Yes, is there any way to opt out of this data collection rather than un-installing Avast Security Software and go for something else?

  3. If I move from an EU country to a Non-EU country for work purpose etc, which country’s data privacy rule will be followed by Avast AV?

  4. Is it mandatory that if law enforcement requests data from Avast regarding the device usage, do you have any data to give to them? Some VPN’s doesnt collect or keep any logs, so even if an entity request for device usage logs there is nothing to provide. What is the case with Avast?

Thanks.

2

General Privacy Policy: https://www.avast.com/privacy-policy

3

Still waiting for an answer to my below queries. Any help?

  1. Do Avast keeps any logs related to internet usage on user device?

  2. If Yes, is there any way to opt out of this data collection rather than un-installing Avast Security Software and go for something else?

  3. If I move from an EU country to a Non-EU country for work purpose etc, which country’s data privacy rule will be followed by Avast AV?

4

Just browse the forums rather than keep trotting out very old news - there are many such topics.

Surprises me you would join the forum where your email and IP would be known :slight_smile:

I don’t work for Avast, just an Avast user for a little over 20 years am I concerned absolutely not…