Antivirus giant Kaspersky quits US after ban by Biden administration

The development comes after Russia headquartered Kaspersky faced obstruction to operate by the Biden administration.

The sign is seen above the headquarters of Kaspersky Lab in Moscow, Jan. 30, 2017. Beginning July 25, 2024, the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky said it will begin to "gradually wind 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. (AP Photo)

The antivirus giant Kaspersky Labs has announced that it is leaving the US after President Joe Biden led administration banned the company’s sale and distribution of its software.

Kaspersky stated to BBC that it was a “sad and difficult decision” to exit the country as “business opportunities in the country are no longer viable”.

The development comes after Russia headquartered Kaspersky faced obstruction to operate by the Biden administration.

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In June, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that Russia’s influence over the company is a threat to US’ service and infrastructure.

Also Read | Biden bans US sales of Kaspersky software over Russia ties

In an official statement, Kaspersky said, “Starting from July 20, 2024 Kaspersky will gradually wind down its US operations and eliminate US-based positions.”

The US wing of the company’s unit had already ceased its operations of selling the antivirus software, with a message saying “purchase is unavailable for US customers”.

The US Commerce Department, in an official statement, said “Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the United States or provide updates to software already in use.”

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Also Read | Kremlin says US decision to ban Kaspersky software designed to stifle competition

Such bans are instigating the turf war between the US and Russia which is escalating with every exit. Another company which is in the radar of the Biden administration is social media app TikTok.

Kaspersky was founded in 1997 in Russia by Eugene Kaspersky. The ace antivirus company boasts over 400 million product users, and remains one of the few IT companies of Moscow to have been successful internationally.

Kaspersky has denied all the allegations leveled by the US administration and said that the government took the decision based upon the “geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns” instead of independently verifying it.

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