Kaspersky Lab will completely shut down its operations in the United States and eliminate its existing jobs in the country – the reason for this was the ban imposed by the presidential administration on the sale and use of the developer’s products in the United States. This was reported by The Register with reference to a company representative.
The process of closing Kaspersky Lab’s US office will begin later this week, affecting fewer than 50 of the company’s employees in the US. “Beginning on July 20, Kaspersky Lab will gradually wind down its operations in the United States and eliminate the relevant positions. The decision and process will follow a final determination by the US Department of Commerce prohibiting the sale and distribution of Kaspersky Lab products in the country,” the company said.
In June, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced a de facto ban on the security software developer in the country, and said that for national security reasons the company would not be able to sell its products in the United States from July 20, and would be unable to provide updates to customers in the country from September 29, making it largely useless.
The following day, the US Treasury Department imposed personal sanctions on the company’s management, with the exception of its founder and CEO, Eugene Kaspersky. Kaspersky Lab itself said the sanctions were imposed due to “the current geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns,” and that the measures were not related to the actual quality of the products. The company rejected suggestions that its products pose a threat to US national security — Washington, however, insists that Kaspersky Lab software can be used to hack American systems.
“The company has carefully considered and assessed the impact of U.S. legal requirements and has made this unfortunate and difficult decision, as there are no opportunities to continue doing business in the country. <..> Kaspersky Lab’s business remains resilient, and its priority remains the same — protecting our customers from cyber threats in any country. As a global provider of cybersecurity solutions, the company will continue to invest in strategic markets and remain committed to serving and protecting its customers and partners,” Kaspersky Lab said.
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