Closed to new claimsData privacyAvast $16.5 Million FTC Privacy Settlement: Refund Status
Last updated: July 22, 2026
The Avast settlement is a $16.5 million agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after Avast, the maker of the popular free Avast and AVG antivirus software, collected users' web browsing data and sold it to advertisers — the opposite of what its privacy-protection products promised. It is closed. Unlike an automatic refund, this one required filing a claim, and the deadline was June 5, 2025. Nearly $15.3 million was distributed to the 103,152 people who filed valid claims, with payments going out by check, PayPal, and Zelle starting December 2, 2025. There is nothing left to file today.
The case, In the Matter of Avast Limited (FTC Matter No. 2023033), found that Avast's antivirus software and browser extensions gathered consumers' detailed browsing information, stored it indefinitely, and sold it to more than 100 third parties through Avast's subsidiary, Jumpshot, without adequate notice or consent. The FTC finalized the order in June 2024, emailed claim notices to 3,690,813 eligible consumers in early 2025, and — through administrator Rust Consulting — paid valid claimants beginning December 2, 2025. Filing was always free and never required proof of purchase.
Key facts
- Settlement fund
- $16.5 million
- Amount distributed
- ~$15.3M to 103,152 claimants
- Payout per person
- ~$148 (estimated, paid out)
- Class period
- Aug 2014 – Jan 2020
- People notified
- 3,690,813
- Claim deadline
- June 5, 2025 (closed)
- Payments sent
- From December 2, 2025
- Administrator
- Rust Consulting (1-866-290-0165)
- Matter
- In re Avast Limited, FTC No. 2023033
Official settlement administrator: FTC Avast Refunds
Who qualifies
- You bought or used Avast antivirus software — including the free desktop products and the Avast mobile security app — between August 2014 and January 2020.
- The FTC identified eligible consumers from Avast's records and emailed 3,690,813 of them a claim notice from 'Avast Settlement' in early 2025.
- Unlike an automatic FTC refund, this settlement required submitting a claim by the June 5, 2025 deadline; filing was free and no receipts or proof of purchase were needed.
- In the end, 103,152 people filed valid claims and shared nearly $15.3 million of the fund.
Avast settlement payout status — what happens now
- 1
The claim window closed in June 2025
This settlement was claim-based, not automatic. Eligible users had to file a claim by June 5, 2025 to be paid. That deadline has passed, so there is no way to submit a new Avast claim in 2026 — the claim list is fixed.
- 2
The FTC finalized the order in June 2024
After announcing the action in February 2024, the FTC finalized its order against Avast in June 2024. The order banned Avast from selling or licensing browsing data for advertising and required the $16.5 million payment to be used for consumer redress.
- 3
Payments went out starting December 2025
The administrator, Rust Consulting, distributed nearly $15.3 million to the 103,152 people who filed valid claims, with payments beginning December 2, 2025. Consumers chose their method on the claim form — check, PayPal, or Zelle. Checks had to be cashed within 90 days and PayPal payments redeemed within 30 days.
- 4
Watch for scams — the real refund is free
The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to file a claim or get a refund. The only legitimate path was the FTC's official page (ftc.gov/Avast) and administrator Rust Consulting. Anyone demanding a fee or your bank details to 'release' an Avast payment is a scammer.
- 5
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Avast FTC refund real, and am I getting money?
Yes, it was real. The FTC sent nearly $15.3 million to the 103,152 Avast customers who filed valid claims by the June 5, 2025 deadline, with payments going out by check, PayPal, and Zelle starting December 2, 2025. The claim window is now closed, so no new claims can be filed.
How much was the Avast FTC settlement?
$16.5 million in total. Nearly $15.3 million of that was actually distributed to consumers who filed valid claims — an estimated $148 per person across 103,152 claimants, though the FTC did not publish an official average.
Can I still file an Avast refund claim in 2026?
No. The claim deadline was June 5, 2025 and it has passed. No new Avast claims are accepted, and payments to valid claimants were sent starting December 2, 2025.
Who was eligible for the Avast refund?
People who bought or used Avast antivirus software — including the free desktop products and the Avast mobile security app — between August 2014 and January 2020. The FTC emailed 3,690,813 eligible consumers.
What did Avast do wrong?
Avast's antivirus software and browser extensions collected users' web browsing data and sold it to more than 100 third parties through its subsidiary Jumpshot, without adequate notice or consent — while marketing its products as protecting people from online tracking.
How were the Avast payments paid out?
By check, PayPal, or Zelle, with each claimant choosing their method on the claim form. Checks had to be cashed within 90 days and PayPal payments redeemed within 30 days; Zelle payments were deposited directly.
Who do I contact about an Avast refund payment?
The refund administrator is Rust Consulting, Inc., reachable at 1-866-290-0165, or see the FTC's official page at ftc.gov/Avast. The FTC never charges a fee to send a refund.
Sources and official records
Every figure and date on this page was taken from the primary records below — court dockets, agency releases, and the settlement administrator's own notices. Payout averages we describe as averages are calculated from the official totals, not reported per-person estimates.
- FTC — avast settlement page (current payout status and eligibility)
- FTC press release — FTC Sends Payments to Consumers Impacted by Avast’s Deceptive Privacy Claims
- FTC press release — FTC Announces Refund Claims Process for Avast Customers Impacted by Deceptive Privacy Claims
- FTC press release — FTC Finalizes Order with Avast Banning it from Selling or Licensing Web Browsing Data for Advertising and Requiring it to Pay $16.5 Million
- FTC press release — FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes, Require It to Pay $16.5 Million Over Charges the Firm Sold Browsing Data After Claiming Its Products Would Block Online Tracking
- FTC case record — Avast
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