Penalty Amount
$16,500,000
The FTC finalized an order against Avast for selling consumers' web browsing data for advertising after promising privacy protection. Avast must pay $16.5 million, is banned from selling such data, must delete collected data, obtain consent, notify consumers, and implement a privacy program.
Avast must pay $16.5 million, is prohibited from selling or licensing web browsing data for advertising, must delete all transferred browsing data, obtain affirmative consent before selling data from non-Avast products, notify affected consumers, and implement a comprehensive privacy program.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor agreements (especially those involving data sharing or licensing), customer-facing agreements (privacy policies, terms of service), and any data processing agreements. Focus on clauses governing data sharing, licensing, or sale; consent mechanisms; data retention and deletion obligations; and representations regarding privacy protections. Changes may be needed to explicitly prohibit the sale or licensing of browsing data for advertising, mandate clear and affirmative consumer consent before any such sharing, require deletion of previously collected browsing data, and incorporate obligations to implement a comprehensive privacy program consistent with the FTC order.
Entity
Avast Limited
Also known as: Avast
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-finalizes-order-avast-banning-it-selling-or-licensing-web-browsing-data-advertising-requiring-it
202 3033 avast final consent package
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/202_3033_-_avast_final_consent_package.pdf
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"Avast Limited"
"$16.5 million"
"sold it without adequate notice and without consumer consent"
$930K
The FTC finalized orders requiring CMG Media Corporation (doing business as Cox Media Group), MindSift LLC, and 1010 Digital Works LLC to pay a total of $930,000 for falsely claiming they offered an AI-powered service that could target ads based on conversations captured from consumers' smart devices, and that consumers had opted into such targeting. The orders also prohibit the companies from making misrepresentations about their advertising services, voice data collection, and consumer consent.
The FTC announced it is seeking public comment on a proposed enforcement policy statement regarding personalized pricing, which is the use of personal data to set prices based on what a company believes an individual consumer is willing to spend. The statement warns that undisclosed collection or use of personal data for personalized pricing could violate the FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive practices. The Commission voted 2-0 to authorize the Federal Register notice.
$4.0M
The FTC and Connecticut secured a $4 million settlement with Chase Nissan LLC (doing business as Manchester City Nissan) over allegations the dealership charged consumers unauthorized fees, including double-charging for 'certified pre-owned' vehicles and inserting charges like total loss protection into financing agreements without consent. The settlement requires $4 million in consumer redress, prohibits misrepresentations about vehicle certification and warranties, mandates prominent disclosure of the maximum total vehicle price, and requires express informed consent for all charges.
The FTC filed a complaint against Credit Glory LLC and related entities for deceptive credit repair practices, including false promises, impersonating debt collectors, charging illegal upfront fees, and using negative option billing without consent. A federal court temporarily halted the operation.
The FTC issued a policy statement abandoning disparate-impact liability, stating it will no longer bring claims based on this theory. It also modified compliance obligations for several companies based on past decisions.
The FTC, along with Utah and California, filed a complaint against Hims & Hers alleging the telehealth provider shared consumers' sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms without consent, and deceived consumers about billing and cancellation practices. The complaint alleges violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.