The US government has taken a bold step in national security by announcing plans to ban the sale of antivirus software made by Russian firm Kaspersky. The decision comes as a result of alleged links between the company and the Kremlin, posing a significant risk to US infrastructure and services.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that Russia’s influence over Kaspersky could potentially allow for the collection and weaponization of personal information of Americans. As a result, the US has decided to restrict the sale of Kaspersky software within the country, as well as updates to existing software.
Kaspersky has denied engaging in any activity that threatens US security and has vowed to pursue all legally available options to fight the ban. The plan to ban Kaspersky software utilizes powers created by the Trump administration to restrict transactions between US firms and tech companies from “foreign adversary” nations like Russia and China.
The ban will go into effect on September 29, prohibiting downloads of software updates, resales, and licensing of Kaspersky products. Sellers and resellers who violate the restrictions will face fines from the Commerce Department. Additionally, two Russian and one UK-based unit of Kaspersky will be listed for allegedly cooperating with Russian military intelligence.
This is not the first time Kaspersky has faced scrutiny from US regulators. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security banned its flagship antivirus product from federal networks due to alleged ties to Russian intelligence. Despite being headquartered in Moscow, Kaspersky operates in 31 countries worldwide, serving millions of users and corporate clients.
The exact number of customers affected in the US is classified, but a Commerce Department official has stated that it includes state and local governments, as well as companies in telecommunications, power, and healthcare industries. The ban on Kaspersky software marks a significant move in safeguarding US national security against potential threats from foreign entities.
