Millions of American consumers who bought antivirus software from Avast may be eligible to receive a portion of a $16.5 million settlement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Monday. The FTC said Avast is making the payment after failing to protect its customers’ privacy,

Millions of Americans who purchased antivirus software from Avast may be eligible for compensation due to a $16.5 million settlement by the company with the Federal Trade Commission, the regulatory agency announced on Monday.

Avast will compensate $16.5 million to antivirus users following an FTC settlement for misleading customers on privacy claims. Avast's subsidiary, Jumpshot, covertly sold users' detailed browsing data.

The Federal Trade Commission has begun sending claim forms to consumers who purchased antivirus software from Avast under misleading pretenses, the agency