The Biden administration has prohibited the Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky from offering its popular antivirus products in the United States, citing national security concerns.
“Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the United States or provide updates to software already in use,” stated a commerce department announcement.
This decision follows a thorough investigation that determined Kaspersky’s “continued operations in the United States presented a national security risk due to the Russian government’s offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kaspersky’s operations.”
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo remarked, “Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive US information.”
In response, Kaspersky issued a statement to AFP, asserting that the commerce department’s decision was “based on the present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns.”
The company vowed to “pursue all legally available options to preserve its current operations and relationships.”
Kaspersky also emphasized, “Kaspersky does not engage in activities which threaten US national security and, in fact, has made significant contributions with its reporting and protection from a variety of threat actors that targeted US interests and allies.”
This measure marks the first of its kind since an executive order from former President Donald Trump’s administration granted the commerce department the authority to investigate whether certain companies pose a national security threat.
Raimondo highlighted that the commerce department’s actions are a clear message to America’s adversaries that it will act decisively when “their technology poses a risk to the United States and its citizens.”
Despite being headquartered in Moscow, Kaspersky operates in 31 countries globally, serving over 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients in more than 200 countries, according to the commerce department.
In addition to banning Kaspersky’s antivirus software sales, the commerce department has also added three entities associated with the firm to a list of companies considered national security concerns, “for their cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government’s cyber intelligence objectives.”
While the commerce department “strongly encouraged” users to switch to different vendors, it does not prohibit them from using Kaspersky software if they choose to do so.
Kaspersky is permitted to continue certain operations in the US, including providing antivirus updates, until September 29th this year.
This allowance is intended to “minimize disruption to US consumers and businesses and to give them time to find suitable alternatives,” the department added.
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