Russian antivirus company Kaspersky Labs has announced its exit from the US following a ban imposed by the Biden administration on the sale and distribution of its software. The firm stated it made this “sad and difficult decision” as business prospects in the country became unfeasible.
This decision follows remarks from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who indicated that Kaspersky’s ties to Moscow posed significant risks to US infrastructure. Kaspersky, operating in the US for two decades, has denied these allegations.
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Starting July 20, 2024, Kaspersky will gradually cease its US operations and eliminate local jobs. Its US website has already halted sales, displaying a message that purchases are unavailable for US customers.
The ban means Kaspersky will no longer sell software or provide updates within the US. Raimondo emphasized the need for action due to Russia’s ability to collect and exploit personal data from Americans.
The ruling utilized powers established during the Trump administration to restrict transactions with “foreign adversaries” like Russia and China, prohibiting downloads of software updates and new business dealings. Sellers violating these restrictions may face fines.
Kaspersky operates in 31 countries, serving over 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients globally. The company has expressed intentions to explore “all legally available options” to challenge the ban, maintaining that it has not engaged in any activities that threaten US security.
