The administration of US President Joe Biden has implemented a full ban on the use of Kaspersky Lab software due to its ties to Russia, according to The Hill.
"Russia has shown it has the capacity and even more than that, the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans," said US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
She added that although the company has long been a cause for concern, the Bureau of Industry and Security at the Commerce Department was able to ban Kaspersky under new authorities.
"The department ultimately decided that given the Russian government’s continued offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence Kaspersky’s operations, that we had to take the significant measure of a full prohibition if we’re going to protect Americans and their personal data," Raimondo said.
After July 20, Kaspersky will be unable to enter new contracts in the US under the ban. Existing customers will have access to the software until September 29, but services will "degrade" after that.
Kaspersky is a Russian company specializing in cybersecurity solutions and antivirus software. It gained widespread popularity for its products that protect home users and corporate clients. Founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, the company is headquartered in Moscow.
Recently, Kaspersky has faced numerous challenges related to potential ties with the Russian government. These connections have led to sanctions and bans on the use of the company's products in several countries, including the US.
Bloomberg reported recently that in Europe, some countries are seeking to significantly expand sanctions against Russia, including adding Kaspersky antivirus programs to the list.
