In a decisive move, the Biden Administration has prohibited the sale and use of Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software in the United States, effective September 29, 2024. This action is a response to persistent national security concerns regarding the Russian cybersecurity firm’s alleged ties to the Russian government.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the ban is rooted in evidence that Russia has the capability and intent to leverage Kaspersky’s operations to collect and potentially weaponize personal information of Americans. The decision follows a comprehensive investigation that deemed the risks posed by the software to be unacceptable.The Commerce Department has added Kaspersky Lab, its parent company, and its UK subsidiary to the Entity List, which will significantly limit the firm’s ability to conduct business in the US. While Kaspersky’s CEO, Eugene Kaspersky, has downplayed the impact, noting that the US market is not a major one for the company, the ban underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding national security and the security of individuals in the US from foreign cyber threats.The US government has previously banned the use of Kaspersky Lab’s software in government institutions since 2017, and this latest development extends the restrictions to private organizations. Users are encouraged to transition to alternative vendors before the ban takes full effect, although they are not prohibited from using the software if they choose to continue.
Key points
- The US has banned Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software due to national security concerns over the firm’s ties to the Russian government.
- Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced the ban will take effect on September 29, 2024, and includes sale, download, resale, and licensing.
- Kaspersky Lab and its affiliated entities have been added to the Entity List by the US Department of Commerce.
