The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Thursday that the Biden administration is stopping the use of Kaspersky Lab’s cybersecurity software across the country. They’re doing this because they’re worried the Russian government might be messing with how the software works.
For a while now, people in the U.S. government have been worried about how safe Kaspersky’s software really is. They say that because of Russian laws, Putin‘s government can get into Kaspersky’s systems. This means they might be able to see information about everyone who uses Kaspersky’s products.
According to an anonymous source speaking to Reuters, Kaspersky’s access to computer systems raises security concerns. This access, they claim, could be exploited to steal sensitive data or install malware. The worry is heightened by Kaspersky’s clientele, which includes critical infrastructure providers and government agencies.
Commerce Secretary Raimondo acknowledged the seven-year ban on Kaspersky software within government agencies. However, she stressed that ongoing security worries necessitated a more aggressive response, prompting the recent ban on sales and updates.
The Commerce Department provided specifics on the ban. Effective next month, US sales of Kaspersky software will be prohibited. Existing users will lose access to crucial security updates starting in September. Companies that disregard the ban, including sellers and resellers, face penalties from the Commerce Department.
While headquartered in Moscow, Kaspersky has a vast international presence. With offices in over 30 countries, it serves a user base of 400 million individuals and 270,000 corporate clients across an impressive 200+ countries and territories.
Kaspersky Lab has yet to officially comment on the US ban. Previously, the company has maintained it’s a private entity with no ties to the Russian government.