Avast shuts down Jumpshot after data-selling controversy

Following the reveal of its recent data-selling controversy, Avast has announced that it will wind down its marketing technology subsidiary Jumpshot.

Jumpshot had previously collected data from across the web, analyzed it and then sold that data to third-party customers including tech giants such as Microsoft and Google as well as big brands such as Pepsi and Home Depot. However, the controversy stems from the fact that Avast’s subsidiary sold user data to other companies without first informing users.

blog post, Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek explained to its customers and investors why the company created Jumpshot in the first place, saying:

• Avast reportedly sold user web browsing data
• Avast and AVG extensions allowed back on Firefox store
• Insecure VPN profile allowed hackers to breach Avast antivirus network

“We started Jumpshot in 2015 with the idea of extending our data analytics capabilities beyond