Washington: The United States has announced plans to bar the sale of antivirus software made by Russia’s Kaspersky Lab in the country with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo saying that Russia’s influence over the company poses a significant security risk.
The software’s elevated access to a computer’s systems could enable it to steal sensitive data or install malware and block essential updates, thereby increasing the threat. Kaspersky’s clientele includes critical infrastructure providers as well as state and local governments.
Russia Can Weaponise Information
“Russia has shown it has the capacity and the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans and that is why we are compelled to take the action that we are taking today,” Raimondo said.
Kaspersky said it believed the US decision was based on “the present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns, rather than on a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky’s products and services.”
Kaspersky Claims No Connection With Russian Government
Kaspersky stated that its operations do not pose a threat to U.S. national security and that it plans to seek legal remedies to protect its business. The Russian Embassy did not respond to requests for comment. Kaspersky has previously claimed that it is a privately managed company with no connections to the Russian government. The new expansive regulation, enacted using broad powers from the administration of former President Donald Trump, will be accompanied by a decision to add three of the company’s units to a trade restriction list, according to Raimondo. This move is expected to damage Kaspersky’s reputation and potentially impact its international sales.
Kaspersky has long been in regulators’ crosshairs. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security banned its flagship antivirus product from federal networks, alleging ties to Russian intelligence and noting Russian law lets intelligence agencies compel assistance from Kaspersky and intercept communications using Russian networks.Media reports at the time alleged Kaspersky Lab was involved in taking hacking tools from a National Security Agency employee that ended up in the hands of the Russian government. Kaspersky responded by saying it had stumbled upon the code but said no third parties saw it.Pressure on the company’s U.S. business grew after Moscow’s move against Kyiv.
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