"FTC Halts Avast's Sale of User Browsing Data, Imposes $16.5 Million Fine"
Avast has been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to pay $16.5 million and cease selling browsing data collected from its privacy apps through a now-defunct entity called Jumpshot. The FTC found that the data, which included identifiable information such as job searches and map directions, was far from anonymous and was sold to over 100 companies. Avast must now obtain express consent for future data gathering, notify customers about prior data sales, and implement a comprehensive privacy program.