WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration, set to announce on Thursday, plans to bar the sale of Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software in the U.S. A person familiar with the matter cited the firm’s large U.S. customer base, including critical infrastructure providers and local governments.
The person stated that the company’s close ties to the Russian government posed a critical risk. They also noted that the software’s access could facilitate stealing information, installing malware, or withholding updates.
The sweeping new rule, using powers created by the Trump administration, will include adding the company to a trade restriction list. This move could harm the firm’s reputation and significantly impact its overseas sales.
The plan to blacklist the cybersecurity firm, restricting U.S. suppliers, and its details were undisclosed. Timing specifics on the software sales restriction were also previously unreported.
A Commerce Department spokesperson declined to comment, and Kaspersky Lab and the Russian Embassy did not respond to requests. Previously, Kaspersky stated it is a privately managed company with no Russian government ties.
The administration aims to eliminate risks of Russian cyberattacks linked to Kaspersky software. Additionally, it continues to pressure Moscow as its war effort in Ukraine gains momentum and the US exhausts new sanctions options.
As Biden bans Kaspersky, it highlights the urgency of adapting to secure technologies to mitigate risks. Ultimately, this move aims to bolster the nation’s cyber defenses and ensure the protection of critical data and infrastructure from foreign threats.
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