US Government Takes Action Against Kaspersky Lab
The Biden administration has made a bold move to prohibit the sale of antivirus software produced by Kaspersky Lab in the United States. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo cited concerns over Russia’s influence on the company, stating that it poses a significant security risk.
A government source revealed that the software’s access to a computer’s systems could potentially lead to the theft of sensitive information, the installation of malware, and the withholding of critical updates, heightening the security threat. With clients including critical infrastructure providers and state and local governments, the potential risks are substantial.
During a briefing call with reporters, Raimondo emphasized that Russia has shown the capability and intention to exploit companies like Kaspersky for the collection and weaponization of Americans’ personal information, prompting the administration’s decisive action.
Despite Kaspersky’s claims of being a privately managed company without ties to the Russian government, the US government remains firm in its decision. The new rule, empowered by former President Donald Trump’s administration, will add three units of Kaspersky to a trade restriction list, potentially damaging the company’s reputation and international sales.
The Biden administration’s actions reflect its commitment to safeguarding against Russian cyber threats through Kaspersky software and maintaining pressure on Moscow amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. However, there has been no concrete evidence linking any cyberattacks to Kaspersky software.
With the new restrictions set to take effect on September 29, businesses will have 100 days to find alternative solutions. The Commerce Department will also prohibit sales of white-labelled products containing Kaspersky software under a different brand name.
Furthermore, two Russian and one UK-based units of Kaspersky will be added to the entity list for their alleged collaboration with Russian military intelligence. These measures will not only impact Kaspersky’s Russian operations but also restrict its UK-based unit from receiving goods from American suppliers.
