Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has made the decision to close all its operations in the United States following the recent ban by the Commerce Department on the use of its software in the country. The closure of the U.S. operations will commence on July 20, as per a statement released by the Moscow-based company. The company will gradually wind down its operations and also eliminate positions based in the U.S., though the exact number of employees affected was not disclosed.
Kaspersky expressed its regret in having to make this decision after nearly 20 years of contributing to the cybersecurity landscape in the U.S. by protecting organizations and individuals from evolving cyber threats. The company stated that the move was in response to the challenging business environment created by U.S. legal requirements.
The ban on Kaspersky software in the U.S. was imposed last month by the Commerce Department, citing concerns over the company’s Russian ties posing a potential risk to national security. The department raised issues about the software’s ability to access sensitive data of U.S. citizens and potentially share it with Russian government entities.
Despite Kaspersky’s insistence on its innocence as a security threat, the Commerce Department stood by its decision to ban the software. The company contended that the ban was influenced more by geopolitical factors than actual security risks, claiming that it abides by strict data protection regulations and only accesses information in an anonymous and aggregated form.
Kaspersky, known for its popular consumer antivirus products and reputable research unit, emphasized that its priority remains the protection of its customers globally from cyber threats. The closure of its U.S. operations does not affect its commitment to cybersecurity in other countries, the company stressed. The news of the shutdown was first reported by journalist Kim Zetter.
