Think about what these know about you
-Microsoft
-Google
-Yahoo
-Your ISP
-twitter
-Facebook
-online gambling
-online gaming
-smart phone
-and many many more
Most have some or all of this without blinking and then complaining about your security program bc of a cloud feature that is there to improve security .. doh
If you don't trust your security company then you should definitely not trust being connected online
The day you connected to internet your privacy was gone! the only way to avoid it, don't use any device connected, do not use credit cards, live in a motor home in the arizona desert
To be fair, I didn't agree to shit about cloud connectivity when I got Avast!, because it was something they never used back then. I've since uninstalled and switched to a different AV. But as far as your list goes:
-Microsoft - The only MS product I use is for my gaming rig which has Windows 10. I've used Spybot Anti-Beacon and disabled most services, and it's not registered in my name.
-Google - I don't use any Google products, even the search engine. Loved them when they were new, and now they're too invasive.
-Yahoo - Does anybody still use Yahoo! products?
-Your ISP - My ISP is fairly non-invasive, but I also connect through a VPN. That's all they can see.
-twitter - Never used Twitter. It seems like something teenage girls worried about their social lives would use.
-Facebook - Only use that to post funny pictures, but mostly so people I know can find me. After that, I just give them my number. I don't have the FB or messenger apps on my phone.
-online gambling - I go to a real casino.
-online gaming - They have no personal data on me.
-smart phone - Rooted with lots of protection and the bill isn't even in a real name. The only reason I even have a smart phone is for the Babuser app.
-and many many more - Like what?
I have nothing to hide and don't really do anything exciting, but it's the point of the thing. Nobody needs my data. Some people shred their bills and receipts before throwing them away. This is no different. Even if I were to just order a pizza on a random and boring Tuesday night, it's not Google's business, it's not the NSA's business, it's nobody's business but mine and the guy delivering the thing.
So.. using the cloud does have risks and rewards. So does banning Middle-Eastern people from entering the U.S., and so do other ridiculous things like the Patriot Act. I, for one, would rather NOT sacrifice liberty and privacy for some imagined "security." I'll take my risks. I think that with a non-cloud AV, I won't get a virus. I'm also not worried about terrorism or any other such nonsense. I just want to be left the F alone by companies, corporations, and governments.
Rant aside - is there any actual way to disable this cloud crap? I'm assuming not, so I've switched. If there is a way, I may come back once they fix the background service issue (if they haven't already). It's pretty much a yes/no question.