Kaspersky withdraws from the USA
Following the ban on Kaspersky products in the USA, the Russian company no longer sees a viable business basis there.
Kaspersky uses this graphic to illustrate its services for "cyber security in the supply chain".
(Image: Kaspersky)
Kaspersky is withdrawing from the USA. The Russian IT security company will gradually wind down its business there from July 20, 2024 and lay off all employees, US media report. This will mark the end of Kaspersky's activities in the USA, which have lasted around 20 years, according to a statement from the company.
The US government banned Kaspersky's software in the USA in June. This initially affects all business with Kaspersky, including services provided by US companies to or for the Russian company. At the end of September or beginning of October, downloads and updates as well as the transfer of Kaspersky licenses will also become illegal in the USA, meaning that there will be no daily updates for anti-virus software. Signature and software updates will cease at the end of September, and Kaspersky will no longer be allowed to collect threat data via the "Kaspersky Security Network" in the USA.
Business no longer viable
The company has carefully examined the US government's requirements and has come to the conclusion that further business in the USA is no longer viable for Kaspersky. The end of business in the USA affects fewer than 50 employees, US journalist Kim Zetter quotes from a company statement.
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In June, Kaspersky emphasized to heise online that it was not involved in activities that threaten the national security of the USA. Initially, the company had assumed that it would at least be able to sell and promote cyberthreat intelligence services and/or training in the USA. The US Department of Commerce had not taken up the suggestion of having Kaspersky offers independently checked by a trustworthy third party.
Following the ban on Kaspersky products in the USA, the German Federal Office for Information Security maintained its warning against Kaspersky's antivirus products. According to the BSI, the US sanctions did not initially affect Germany at all. The authority cannot issue any bans, as the BSI lacks the necessary legal basis to do so. The BSI warning relates exclusively to antivirus software from Kaspersky.
(anw)
