The Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab has announced it will shut down its U.S. operations and lay off its American employees. This comes after the US Department of Commerce banned the company from selling its products in the United States, citing national security concerns. The shutdown of Kaspersky’s US operations will begin on July 20, ending nearly 20 years of the company operating in the country.
In a statement, Kaspersky said it carefully examined the impact of the US legal requirements and made the “sad and difficult decision” as business opportunities in the US are no longer viable. Over 400 million people and 240,000 companies worldwide use Kaspersky’s software products. However, it is unclear how many users are in the United States.
US government agencies were already banned from using Kaspersky software, but the Commerce Department’s move to prevent the software sale in the US was unprecedented. The legal authorities cited by the Commerce Department are relatively new. They are derived partly from a 2021 executive order signed by President Joe Biden to protect Americans’ personal data from “foreign adversaries.” A related order was also signed by former President Donald Trump in 2019.
Founded in Moscow in 1997, Kaspersky became one of the world’s most successful anti-virus software companies. Its researchers are known for analyzing hacking operations suspected of being carried out by various governments, including Russia, the United States, and Israel.
Kaspersky closing US operations
They also investigate cybercriminal threats that affect everyday users. Kaspersky said it will continue investing in strategic markets despite the US shutdown. It remains committed to serving its customers and partners and ensuring their protection.
The US government has claimed that the Russian government could use Kaspersky’s popular anti-virus software to surveil Americans through hacking or data collection. Kaspersky has vehemently denied these claims. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo cited Moscow’s influence over the company as a significant risk to US infrastructure and services.
She highlighted the necessity of the ban due to Russia’s “capacity and intent to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans.”
Kaspersky’s US website has already ceased sales of its antivirus and cybersecurity tools. It displays a message that reads, “Purchase is unavailable for US customers.” The ruling prevents software updates, resales, and licensing of Kaspersky products from September 29 onward. New business transactions were to be restricted within 30 days of the announcement.
Kaspersky operates in 31 countries and services over 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients globally. The company intends to explore “all legally available options” to combat the ban. It maintains that it has not engaged in any activities threatening US security.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
