Security vendor, AVG, has updated the privacy policy of its free antivirus software offering which will allow the company to monetise users’ “non-personal” data, including their browser history.
AVG is an OzBargainer favourite. Is getting a service for free worth selling out your information? Is having companies know your browser history acceptable?
Maybe it's time to uninstall the software.
it's not an update, it was already there. it's just re-worded.
secondly, it only applies to the free version of AVG.
and lastly, just because it's in the terms aren't a simple matter of farming user data for profit.
Read this quote
An AVG spokesperson told WIRED that in order to continue offering free security software the company may in the future "employ a variety of means, including subscription, ads and data models."
"Those users who do not want us to use non-personal data in this way will be able to turn it off, without any decrease in the functionality our apps will provide," the spokesperson added. "While AVG has not utilised data models to date, we may, in the future, provided that it is anonymous, non-personal data, and we are confident that our users have sufficient information and control to make an informed choice.
It's really not as bad as most media outlets are making it out to be.
Regardless of what they do with your data, do people really use AVG on their main computer? It's probably the worst AV (detection rates etc) with a well known name…
I only use it on an old laptop that I don't really use anymore.
Not at all, especially when there are better alternatives such as Avast and Avira.