AVG says it can sell your browsing data in updated privacy policy
AVG has updated its privacy policy's language, and in the amended document, the security firm admits that it can "make money from [its] free offerings with non-personal data." These "non-personal" info include your device's brand, language and apps in use, among other things. The company is adamant that it doesn't sell anything with identifying information, and the data that it does collect is anonymized and stored without anything that can link it back to you. According to the updated policy, AVG can collect data you yourself provide -- plus, it can use cookies to track your searchers and your activities on websites, apps and other products. It can then use those details to "build anonymous data profiles" or create statistical information, which it can then sell.
A spokesperson from the company told Wired UK that AVG updated the language to be more transparent and make sure people know that it can make money off its free products using their information. The new rules will take effect on October 15th, 2015 and by continuing to use AVG after that, you already agree to the collection -- unless you take the steps to opt out. The spokesperson said that "users who do not want [the security firm] to use non-personal data in this way will be able to turn it off."
[Image credit: CharlieAJA/Getty]
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I'm so glad I switched to Linux years ago. It has really worked for me, improved my career (income), and generally given me a better appreciation of computing in general. The only AV I use now is on Linux servers to help protect Windows machines on corporate networks.
They're only cashing in like everyone else. Microsoft opened the floodgates with their relentless and massive spying in Windows 10 (retrofitted to Windows 7 and 8 through "important" updates), so why shouldn't everyone else grab a piece of the pie?