Biden administration bans Kaspersky software in the US over national security concerns

The Biden Administration Bans Kaspersky Antivirus Software Sales in the US

In a significant move, the Biden administration has announced plans to prohibit the sale of Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software in the United States. This decision, revealed on Thursday, stems from mounting concerns about Russia’s potential influence over the company and the security risks it could pose to American users.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was direct in her explanation of the reasoning behind this action during a press briefing. “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.”

The new restrictions are scheduled to take effect on September 29, providing businesses with a 100-day grace period to find alternative solutions. Additionally, any new business by Kaspersky on US soil will be blocked 30 days after the announcement of the restrictions. The Commerce Department also plans to add three Kaspersky units to a trade restriction list, effectively cutting them off from US suppliers.

Kaspersky, however, is not backing down. The company contends that the US decision is more about the “present geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns” rather than concrete evidence of wrongdoing. They are committed to exploring legal options to maintain their US operations, emphasizing that they are a privately managed company with no ties to the Russian government.

Not only will the ban cover new sales, but it will also block software updates, resales, and licensing of Kaspersky products. Products that incorporate Kaspersky technology and are sold under a different name are also subject to the restrictions.

This action is part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to address potential cybersecurity threats from Russia. It involves a new authority that enables the restriction of transactions between US firms and tech companies from “foreign adversary” nations like Russia and China.

Simultaneously, the US appears to be running low on new sanctions to impose on Russia for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, adding an intriguing element to the timing of this announcement.

Kaspersky has faced scrutiny in the past. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security removed the software from federal networks due to possible ties to Russian intelligence.

However, tensions escalated following Moscow’s actions against Kyiv in early 2022. The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) issued a warning that Russian IT manufacturers could engage in offensive operations, recommending the replacement of Kaspersky antivirus products with alternatives.

Shortly after, the US FCC included AO Kaspersky Lab on a “national security threat” blacklist alongside Chinese telecom firms Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp, making Kaspersky the first Russian company on the list.

Tech Optimizer