INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Mozilla has allowed Avast and AVG's extensions back on the Firefox addon store after Avast reduced the amount of tracking data being sent
back to its servers.At the beginning of December, Mozilla removed the Avast Online Security, AVG Online Security, Avast SafePrice and AVG
SafePrice extensions from Firefox after AdBlock Plus' creator Wladimir Palant discovered that they were sending a large amount of user
tracking data back to Avast.In a statement to BleepingComputer, Avast explained that it would make the necessary changes to meet Mozilla's
requirements, saying:"Avast is working with Mozilla to resolve this issue
We have already implemented some of Mozilla's new requirements and will release further updated versions that are fully compliant and
transparent per the new requirements
These will be available as usual on the Mozilla store in the near future."Avast and AVG's extensions are now once again available on the
Firefox store after Avast reduced the amount of data sent by its extensions and updated its privacy policies to explain to users exactly
The company provided more details on the changes it has made in a statement to BornCity.com, saying:“We made changes to our extensions
including limiting the use of data and these changes are explained clearly in our Privacy Policy
Our browser extensions Avast Online Security and AVG Online Security are back on the Chrome Store, and on the Mozilla Store (since 12/17)
It’s important to us that users understand that we’re listening to concerns about transparency and data use, and striving to do better
and lead by example in this area."Now the Avast Online Security and AVG Online Security extensions will display a confirmation dialog asking
users to confirm if they wish for the URLs of sites they visit to be scanned for security purposes
Previously the extensions sent the page title, the referrer, a user's OS version, country code and whether they had visited the page before
instead of just the URL.Via BleepingComputer
