wanderingmagusMar 12, 2024

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

https://lemmy.world/post/13022427

Avast fined $16.5 million for ‘privacy’ software that actually sold users’ browsing data - Lemmy.World

> Avast, the cybersecurity software company, is facing a $16.5 million fine after it was caught storing and selling customer information without their consent. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the fine on Thursday and said that it’s banning Avast from selling user data for advertising purposes.

Show threaddangblingusMar 12, 2024
If the software is free, but not open source, it’s harvesting your data. How else do you think these companies stay in business?
Show threadCustodialTeapotMar 12, 2024
I dislike this sentiment. Just because something is FOSS or open source, doesn’t mean it’s not harvesting your data or doing something nefarious.
Show threadContend6248
A good example would be Yuzu (the Switch emulator), it was open source and collected so much telemetry that Nintendo might go after their users.
Mar 12, 2024 at 3:26pmWeb
Show threadChrisMar 12, 2024
I don’t know about Yuzu’s data collection but they were destroyed because they existed.