This means that the data collected cannot be used to identify you, so for example if you were to browse Google, AVG might collect information on your browsing history, but might not collect information about your login and so on. Information including your approximate location, ZIP code, area code, time zone, and URL used to get to the AVG website are also collected.
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Within the new guidelines, AVG says non-personal data is collected.
The terms outline a plan that will see AVG collect data like search records and your browser history, according to a report from Tech Spot.
“We may also aggregate and/or anonymize personal data we collect about you”.
If you are anxious about your private data ending up in the hands of advertisers it is probably better to avoid installing the free version of AVG “security software”.
So where does this data go?
Some data that is considered “personal” will not be sold to third parties, but can be shared with companies that work with AVG depending on the country and laws.
The complete updated privacy policy from AVG can be read online. Your IP may be shared with AVG’s search providers, and affiliated vendors may be given information including your email address.
A Reddit discussion has heard from furious users who spotted that the simplified policy effectively gives the company permission to sell its mailing lists to third parties for fun and profit. “We use data to improve those products and services; provide support; send notifications, offers, and promotions; and to make money from our free offerings so that we can continue to offer them for free”.
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AVG has been criticised for its recently updated privacy policy, letting the computer security firm keep the browsing history of its users and sell that information on to third parties. “Without privacy online, there can be no security; and without security, there can be no trust”, said Harvey Anderson, Chief Legal Officer, AVG Technologies. Should AVG be more concerned about ensuring that its users (or ex-users) understand its privacy policies, or should it concentrate more on ensuring that there is less for people to complain about in the first place?
