Tech 6 months ago
Kaspersky Lab to shut down US operations after a Commerce Department ban over national security concerns, ending nearly two decades in the US market.

Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab announced it will gradually cease operations in the US and lay off its American employees following a Commerce Department ban on selling its products in the country. The shutdown, which begins on July 20, marks the end of nearly 20 years of the company's presence in the US market.

Kaspersky Lab stated that it made this difficult decision after evaluating the impact of new US legal requirements, finding that continuing operations in the US is no longer feasible. The Commerce Department's ban was imposed due to national security concerns, with officials suggesting that the Russian government might use Kaspersky's widely-used antivirus software to spy on Americans. Kaspersky has denied these allegations.

Globally, over 400 million people and 240,000 companies use Kaspersky’s products, though the exact number in the US is unclear. The ban also follows existing restrictions on US government agencies using Kaspersky software, and it stems from new legal frameworks established by recent executive orders from Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Kaspersky Lab, founded in Moscow in 1997, is recognized for its top-tier cybersecurity research and has been a significant player alongside competitors like McAfee and Symantec. Despite the US ban, the company plans to invest in other markets and remains committed to protecting its global customers and partners.