AVG Updates Private Policy: Tracks/Records Browsing History & Can Sell Your Data

[6souls]

You Can Opt-Out of the Selling, but not the Tracking & Recording

The updated policy explained that AVG was allowed to collect "non-personal data", which could then be sold to third parties. The new privacy policy comes into effect on 15 October, but AVG explained that the ability to collect search history data had also been included in previous privacy policies, albeit with different wording.

AVG's potential ability to collect and sell browser and search history data placed the company "squarely into the category of spyware", according to Alexander Hanff security expert and chief executive of Think Privacy.

Previous versions of AVG's privacy policy stated it could collect data on "the words you search", but didn't make it clear that browser history data could also be collected and sold to third parties. In a statement AVG said it had updated its privacy policy to be more transparent about how it could collect and use customer data.

An AVG spokesperson told WIRED that in order to continue offering free security software the company may in the future "employ a variety of means, including subscription, ads and data models."

"Those users who do not want us to use non-personal data in this way will be able to turn it off, without any decrease in the functionality our apps will provide," the spokesperson added. "While AVG has not utilized data models to date, we may, in the future, provided that it is anonymous, non-personal data, and we are confident that our users have sufficient information and control to make an informed choice."

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/...er-search-data
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/privacy-new
http://think-privacy.com/
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/privacy-archive

[myreality]

More money more money more money.......

[Tyrath]

It's a good thing AVG long since stopped being one of the best free AV solutions.

[GoggleHead]

I guess it's time to stop procrastinating and install a not shitty antivirus on my tablet then. When are companies going to learn that selling my data means losing customers? It's not okay.

[Melena]

I guess it's time to stop procrastinating and install a not shitty antivirus on my tablet then. When are companies going to learn that selling my data means losing customers? It's not okay.

When the vast majority of people start giving a shit. For every person who uninstalls it, there's 10 more who either don't know, don't care or think they all do it so there's no alternatives and stay with what they know.

[Dotsudoku]

It's a good thing AVG long since stopped being one of the best free AV solutions.

Suggestion?

[Tyrath]

Suggestion?

Microsoft Security Essentials works just fine. Should come with Win8 and 10. Gotta download it on 7.

[Sho]

Or Avast! Or Avira.

AVG has been utter crap for almost 10 years.

[Melena]

I honestly haven't used anything besides MSE & the occasional use of Malware Bytes if I suspect I was stupid with something.

[Zetanio]

MSE is the way to go.