Russian cyber firm Kaspersky to shut down US operations after ban

Kaspersky Lab, a leading Russian cybersecurity firm, plans to gradually cease its operations in the United States and lay off its American staff following a ban imposed by the Department of Commerce on the firm's products in the US. The company announced this decision on Monday.

This move marks the beginning of the end for Kaspersky Lab's presence in the US, with operations set to shut down by July 20, marking nearly two decades of its existence in the country. The company explained that it has thoroughly assessed the impact of US legal requirements and made this tough decision due to the unviable business opportunities in the country.

The news of Kaspersky Lab's closure was first reported by independent journalist Kim Zetter. The Commerce Department announced last month that it would prohibit the sale and distribution of Kaspersky software in the US, citing national security concerns.

Officials in the US have alleged that the Russian government might use Kaspersky Lab's widely used anti-virus software for spying or gathering data on Americans. Kaspersky Lab has vehemently denied these allegations.

Kaspersky Lab's software is used by over 400 million people and 240,000 companies globally. The exact number of users in the US is not disclosed. While US government agencies were previously not allowed to use Kaspersky Lab's software, the Commerce Department's decision to prevent its sale in the US is a first of its kind. The legal basis for this decision is relatively new, stemming from executive orders signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 and President Donald Trump in 2019, aimed at safeguarding Americans' personal data from foreign threats.

CNN reported in April that the Commerce Department was taking steps against Kaspersky Lab.

Established in Moscow in 1997, Kaspersky Lab has evolved into one of the leading anti-virus software companies globally, competing with American companies like McAfee and Symantec. Kaspersky Lab's research team, recognized as among the best in the cybersecurity field, is known for investigating hacking activities suspected of being conducted by various governments, including Russia, the US, and Israel, as well as cybercriminal groups that impact regular users.

In its statement Monday, Kaspersky Lab declared that it will continue to invest in key markets and remain dedicated to its customers and partners, ensuring their security.

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