Observed Signal · Jan 31, 2020 · Policy Update · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Avast shuts Jumpshot after data-sale scandal
Avast, the antivirus company, announced the immediate termination of its marketing analytics subsidiary Jumpshot and the wind-down of its operations following reports that Jumpshot sold user data under questionable circumstances. Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek apologized for the situation and emphasized that protecting people’s privacy is paramount. Reports indicated that Jumpshot shared data from Avast users with companies including Google, Yelp, Microsoft, Pepsi, and McKinsey, containing Google search queries, Google Maps GPS coordinates, visited LinkedIn pages, YouTube view histories, and even porn-site search terms and viewed content. While datasets were said to be anonymized, movement profiles and persistent IDs tied to Avast browser extensions could still enable individual identification. Mozilla, Opera and Google had blocked Avast extensions in their browsers. The article notes data potentially involved more than 435 million active Avast users. Vlcek and the board decided to halt data collection and wind down Jumpshot immediately, highlighting a renewed focus on trust and privacy.
Significant privacy incident involving data-sharing concerns and immediate wind-down of a subsidiary; potential industry implications for data handling in AdTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Avast terminates Jumpshot data collection and winds down Jumpshot with immediate effect.
- Jumpshot reportedly sold user data to companies including Google, Yelp, Microsoft, Pepsi, and McKinsey.
- Data included Google search queries, Google Maps GPS coordinates, LinkedIn pages visited, YouTube videos, and porn-site search terms and viewed videos.
- Datasets were anonymized but movement profiles and persistent IDs could potentially identify individuals.
- Mozilla, Opera and Google blocked Avast extensions in their browsers.
- Data potentially involved over 435 million active Avast users.
- CEO Ondrej Vlcek issued an apology and stated trust is fundamental to Avast's mission.
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