The statement goes on to insist data-gathering is 'a separate function to Active Monitoring', but doesn't say how it's carried out. And, as we know, the data is then shared. So they're tracking your moves more closely than ever.

aimed at providing us with more accurate data'. That statement, released by Avast on 6 August, admits ('as part of our ongoing mission', sigh) that version 5.45 'introduced some features. Here's 400-odd words of it (opens in new tab).Īvast pulls latest CCleaner update following privacy outrage Hackers spread hidden malware to 2.27 million people via CCleaner How to speed up Windows 10 What did CCleaner have to say for itself?Īvast, which bought CCleaner's developer Piriform last year, spent the summer unleashing defensive drivel that ranged from empty cliches ('Your privacy is very important to us') to patronising filibuster ('In order to answer that question') via oodles of self-important jargon about analytics, aggregation, anonymisation and 'underlying mechanisms'. Sticking with outdated software isn't usually the safest policy, but this mess shows it can pay to wait for any problems to emerge before jumping into a new version.

The one reassurance is that CCleaner's free edition doesn't update automatically, so you may be using an older version that does let you opt out. So by greying out its Privacy tick boxes, and then removing them completely, it appears CCleaner failed on at least three counts to meet required standards for consent. CCleaner 5.44 still tries hard to stop you switching off Active Monitoring click Yes to ignore it

Ccleaner old version