Advertising.com Settles FTC Adware Charges - Free Software Advertised Security Benefits But Didn’t Disclose Bundled Adware

Advertising.com Settles FTC Adware Charges - Free Software Advertised Security Benefits But Didn’t Disclose Bundled Adware
Advertising.com., Inc., now a subsidiary of America Online, Inc., has agreed to settle FTC charges that it violated federal law by offering free security software, but failing to disclose adequately that adware was bundled with that software. The settlement will require that the company clearly and prominently disclose adware bundled with software advertised to enhance security or privacy. “This company offered SpyBlast, a free security program to protect against hackers,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But consumers who downloaded SpyBlast also downloaded a form of software that followed their electronic comings and goings and force-fed them pop-up ads.”