Millions of Americans who have purchased Avast antivirus software can be eligible for a fee due to a settlement of $ 16.5 million by the company at the Federal Trade Commission, the regulatory authority announced on Monday.
Nearly 3.7 million consumers who purchased Avast’s software between August 2014 and January 2020 can expect E -mails to arrive in their inboxes this week or then inform them of their eligible compensation, the FTC said .
According to regulators, Avast collected information about customers through its antivirus software and browser content for years including information about:
- religious beliefs
- Health problems
- Political tendencies
- locations
- financial status
Avast claimed that the software would protect the privacy of the users by blocking third parties, but the their information would be sold without the permission of people to more than 100 third parties via a subsidiary called Jumpshot, the FTC claimed in 2024. From Monday will The E-mail Office Send Kindings to nearly 3.7 million people who can be eligible for a refund.
Eligible consumers can submit a claim online on www.ftc.gov/avast. If you get an e-mail with a claim number, you can request a payment online at www.avastsettlement.com/file-a-claim.
Those who need help with submitting a claim can call the reimbursement manager on 1-866-290-0165. To be eligible, consumers must submit a claim by 5 June. Payments depend on factors, including how many people submit a claim.
Payments are expected to be sent in 2026, according to the FTC. Avast did not respond to a request for comment.
