07-07-2023 , 04:25 PM
https://datanews.knack.be/nieuws/securit...VNlAe3hDv8 Millions of Dutch people cheated by antivirus program Avast 10:47
Update at: 12:19 PM
Source: Belga
The Czech security company Avast has earned millions of euros for years by reselling sensitive data of millions of Dutch customers. Civil rights organization Privacy First is therefore taking the company to court, reports the Algemeen Dagblad.
Privacy First now wants compensation. A billion-dollar claim is in the works, in which the organization would demand an amount of between 800 and 1,000 euros per affected user. "It's bizarre that a company like Avast, which stands for online security, has fooled us so collectively," a spokesperson said. In December 2019, Avast came under fire when it was revealed that it had been collecting sensitive information for years. This included Google searches, visits to websites, purchases on webshops and even the complete search history of customers.
'Big scandal'
"It's the upside-down world. You install an antivirus to secure your PC, and you get spying in return. We think this is a major scandal," the Privacy First spokesperson said.
Whether Belgian users of the Avast antivirus software have also fallen victim to the resale of their data is still unclear at the time of writing.
Update at: 12:19 PM
Source: Belga
The Czech security company Avast has earned millions of euros for years by reselling sensitive data of millions of Dutch customers. Civil rights organization Privacy First is therefore taking the company to court, reports the Algemeen Dagblad.
Privacy First now wants compensation. A billion-dollar claim is in the works, in which the organization would demand an amount of between 800 and 1,000 euros per affected user. "It's bizarre that a company like Avast, which stands for online security, has fooled us so collectively," a spokesperson said. In December 2019, Avast came under fire when it was revealed that it had been collecting sensitive information for years. This included Google searches, visits to websites, purchases on webshops and even the complete search history of customers.
'Big scandal'
"It's the upside-down world. You install an antivirus to secure your PC, and you get spying in return. We think this is a major scandal," the Privacy First spokesperson said.
Whether Belgian users of the Avast antivirus software have also fallen victim to the resale of their data is still unclear at the time of writing.