Kaspersky will shutter US operations after software is banned by Commerce Department, citing risk
Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky says it’s shutting down all of its operations in the United States, just weeks after the Commerce Department banned the use of the company’s software in the country
NEW YORK — Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky says it's shutting down all of its operations in the United States, just weeks after the Commerce Department banned the use of the company's software in the country.
Kaspersky will “gradually wind down” its U.S. operations starting July 20, according to a statement from the Moscow company. Positions based in the U.S. will also be eliminated, the company said, later confirming that fewer than 50 employees would be impacted.
“Kaspersky has been operating in the U.S. for close to 20 years, contributing to the nation’s strategic cybersecurity goals by safeguarding organizations and individuals in the country from ever-evolving cyberthreats," Kaspersky stated. “The company has carefully examined and evaluated the impact of the U.S. legal requirements and made this sad and difficult decision as business opportunities in the country are no longer viable.”
Last month, the Commerce Department announced a ban on sales of Kaspersky software in the U.S. The government argued the company's Russian connections pose an “undue or unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security.”
Aside from Kaspersky's obligation to abide by Russian law, its software could be exploited to identify sensitive data of U.S. citizens and make it available to Russian government actors, the department said in a decision dated June 14.
“The Department of Commerce’s action against Kaspersky Labs was taken to address a substantial threat to U.S. national security," an agency spokesperson said in a statement to
Read more on abcnews.go.com
