
Photo: Outside Kaspersky’s headquarters in Moscow. \AFP
[Ta Kung Pao News]According to BBC and Reuters reports: The US Department of Commerce announced on the 20th that it will ban the sale of antivirus software from Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky in the US market. The ban will take effect on September 29. After it takes effect, not only will the company’s software products not be sold in the US market, but the upgrade, resale and product licensing of purchased software will also be prohibited. Retailers who violate relevant regulations will face fines.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo said Russia has demonstrated its ability and intent to use companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize Americans’ personal information, “so we have to take relevant measures.”
Kaspersky said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Commerce made this decision based on the current geopolitical situation and theoretical concerns, rather than a comprehensive assessment of the reputation of Kaspersky products and services. The statement emphasized that Kaspersky did not engage in activities that threaten U.S. national security and the company will seek all legally feasible options to protect its existing business operations and relationships.
Kaspersky Lab was founded in Moscow in 1997 and is one of the most successful antivirus software companies in the world. Kremlin spokesman Peskov said on the 21st that the US move was its “most common way of unfair and unfair competition, and they do it every time.”
source: china