The United States plans to ban the sale of Kaspersky Lab's anti-virus software, reports Reuters.
According to the agency's source, the company's close ties with the Russian government were recognized as a critical risk. The United States believes that the software's privileged access to computer systems could allow it to steal confidential information from American computers, install malware, or withhold critical updates.
The United States plans to add the company to the list of trade restrictions, which will damage the company's reputation and may negatively affect its foreign sales.
"The moves show the administration is trying to stamp out any risks of Russian cyberattacks stemming from Kaspersky software and keep squeezing Moscow as its war effort in Ukraine has regained momentum and as the United States has run low on fresh sanctions it can impose on Russia," the media says.
It also indicates that the Biden administration is using new powers to prohibit or restrict transactions between US firms and Internet, telecommunications, and technology companies from "foreign adversaries" such as Russia and China. However, these instruments of pressure are untested. Earlier, they were also used by former US President Donald Trump to ban Americans from using Chinese social networks TikTok and WeChat, but federal courts stopped these steps.
Kaspersky is a Russian company that specializes in developing anti-virus software and cybersecurity. It is known for its antivirus products for home users and corporate clients. The company was founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky and is headquartered in Moscow. Due to possible ties to the Russian government, Kaspersky has been subject to sanctions and bans in some countries, including the United States.
14th package of EU sanctions against Russia
On June 20, the EU ambassadors supported and agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia. Later, the media reported that the new sanctions would affect Russian liquefied natural gas for the first time.