PCMag and Vice conducted a journalistic investigation that uncovered the fact that the most popular manufacturer of free antivirus - Avast - trade data of its users.

Avast used Jumpshot to sell user click data. Jumpshot offers access to data from 100 million global users and 20 million application users. One could track Google searches, Google maps search history, YouTube videos, search data input for browser, Facebook and Instagram, Linkedin profiles, etc. Avast tries to defend itself with the fact that the data is anonymous, as it cannot be associated with a specific person. However, such accurate information as specific date, location and phrases entered into the search engine can be easily used to identify an individual.

According to Next portal, the record contains, in addition to the data listed above, the device identifies, so based on this you can create a chronological history of browsing the network for a specific device.

Well-known companies, such as Nestle, Pepsi, L’oreal and TripAdvisor used Jumpshot services.
We can find some comfort in the fact that specific brands were more interested in statistical data than data of specific persons. Users of Avast antivirus can opt-out of the tracking during the software installation process or after installation, in the privacy settings tab, where they can uncheck the consent to collect usage data.