Beginning from Avast 8.x, the antivirus has Google Analytics module integrated into the product. The company uses GA to know, how users use the Avast UI, which parts they browse and other stuff. Avast anonymizes this data and utilizes to improve their Product in future versions. The topic now came into light as Avast itself separated a privacy setting available in previous version 19.6 into two, in newly released version 19.7
The company mentioned this in the release notes:
Separate consents for Google analytics and Jumpshot tracking in Settings.
In previous avast version if you’ve opted out of data collection and sharing by unchecking two privacy settings and if you update to latest version, your consent will be automatically taken into Google Analytics tracking and you can observe new “Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parities for analysis of product performance and usage” checked by default under “Personal Privacy”.
This has annoyed one user and he said this practise is shady from Avast. Avast replies “It’s an industry standard to have GA (and such) tracking in opt-out mode” moreover Avast moderator says they’re not keeping anything secret, mentioned that in release notes and warned after installation with a notice about that.
We’re not here to Judge Avast is right or wrong. if you just installed Avast free antivirus 19.72388, ensure you unchecked all the options in Privacy Settings, we’re providing the instructions on how to do that below.
- Launch Avast GUI
- Click on Menu, select Settings,
- Select “Personal Privacy” and uncheck all the three checkboxes for the below options.
- Share threat information with Avast to improve your Protection
- Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of trends, business, and marketing
- Allow usage data to be shared with 3rd parties for analysis of product performance and usage.
4. Close the Settings window and Exit from Avast GUI.
