marry 16.07.2024, 11:00 AM
Russian antivirus software maker Kaspersky said it is leaving the US market a month after the US Commerce Department announced a ban on the Russian company’s software sales in the country citing “unacceptable risks to national security”.
The news about it was first published by journalist Kim Zetter on her blog Zero Day. Its sources said Kaspersky informed employees of the closure and impending layoffs.
The company will cease operations in the US on July 20, 2024, the same day the ban takes effect. Kaspersky is also expected to lay off about 50 employees in the US who will receive severance pay.
“The company has carefully examined and evaluated the impact of the US demands and made this sad and difficult decision because business opportunities in the country are no longer sustainable,” the company said in a statement.
In late June 2024, the US Department of Commerce announced that it had made the decision to ban after what it said was an “extremely thorough investigation”. The company was also added to the list of prohibited entities, which prevents US companies from doing business with it.
It is currently unknown what was uncovered during the investigation, but it said the company’s continued operations in the US could serve as a conduit for the Kremlin’s offensive cyber activities.
US users of Kaspersky’s software are urged to find alternative solutions before September 29, as the company is expected to stop providing software updates after that date. However, officials say that individuals and businesses that want to continue using existing Kaspersky products will not be penalized, but note that their systems will be put at risk.
Kaspersky was initially notified of the possible ban last October, to give the company time and opportunity to present its case for continuing operations in the US.
Kaspersky has denied the allegations, saying it does not engage in activities that could threaten US national security and that the decision was made based on “the current geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns” rather than a comprehensive assessment of its products and services. What’s more, Kaspersky “made a significant contribution with its reporting and protection against various threat actors targeting US interests and allies,” the company said earlier.
Kaspersky also promised at the time that it would “exercise all legally available options” to continue its operations in America, but at this point, after yesterday’s announcement, it seems unlikely that the company will take legal action.
In its statement, Kaspersky emphasized that their key priority remains the same – protecting clients in any country from cyber threats.
Kaspersky was founded in 1997, and began selling its software to American customers in 2005.
Source: www.informacija.rs
