AVG Acquires Location Labs to Strengthen Mobile Security Offerings

AVGOnline security firm AVG Technologies has bought Location Labs, a leader in mobile protection, strengthening its leadership position in the online and mobile security market.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, gives AVG access to Location Labs platform of personal security products for mobile devices, and deep integration with global industry partners including all four major mobile networks in the US.

Locations Labs software comes pre-installed on Android smartphones, and also provides mobile subscription services including family, safety and personal device management. Its technology and existing products are expected to complement and expand on AVGs existing mobile offerings, broadening and accelerating its mobile security business.

AVG currently boasts 182m active users worldwide across its security products. Between the acquisition and mobiles rapid organic growth, AVG expects to generate around $65m (£39m) in global mobile bookings in 2015, growing to around $100m in 2016.

“Location Labs has effectively cracked the code for mobile monetisation through its highly successful business mobile with industry partners,” said Gary Kovacs, CEO of AVG Technologies. “The acquisition significantly accelerates AVGs mobile strategy in this area.

“According to industry estimates, the number of mobile-connected devices will exceed the worlds population by the end of this year alone. The combined existing mobile user base of both companies gives us the unprecedented opportunity to deliver online security to approximately a quarter of a billion devices as we see more people go mobile to get online.”