Changes

==Privacy concerns==

==Privacy concerns==

For a number of years, Avast has been selling "anonymized" data on user behavior.  Essentially, it tracks how users browse the web, and then sells this information (supposedly stripped of personally identifiable information) for advertising purposes. This has led to some labeling Avast products as "spyware," and some browsers removing Avast's browser extension from their libraries.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits</ref><ref>https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-firefox-extensions</ref>

For a number of years, Avast has been selling "anonymized" data on user behavior.  Essentially, it tracks how users browse the web, and then sells this information (supposedly stripped of personally identifiable information) for advertising purposes. This has led to some labeling Avast products as "spyware," and some browsers removing Avast's browser extension from their libraries, thanks to software developer and security researcher Wladimir Palant.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits</ref><ref>https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-firefox-extensions</ref><ref>https://www.zdnet.com/article/mozilla-removes-avast-and-avg-extensions-from-add-on-portal-over-snooping-claims/</ref>

In 2013, Avast acquired Jumpshot, a [[Data broker|data brokerage company]].<ref>https://press.avast.com/avast-software-acquires-jumpshot-to-work-magic-against-slow-pc-performance</ref> According to their website,  

In 2013, Avast acquired Jumpshot, a [[Data broker|data brokerage company]].<ref>https://press.avast.com/avast-software-acquires-jumpshot-to-work-magic-against-slow-pc-performance</ref> According to their website,