US decides to ban Russia’s Karspersky antivirus program

The United States announced on Thursday (June 20, 2024) that it will ban the sale and update of the antivirus manufactured by the Russian company Kaspersky Lab. According to the North American Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, Russia’s influence over the company represents significant risk to the country’s security.

Access to the software computer systems could allow the theft of confidential information or the installation of malware, says the USA. Kaspersky’s customers include suppliers of critical infrastructure to the country and state and local governments.

“Russia has shown that it has the ability and intention to use Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize Americans’ personal information. This is why we are obliged to take the measures we are taking today”, said Raimondo in an interview with journalists.

In a statement, the US Department of Commerce reported that, in addition to blocking sales, licenses and updates, 3 companies from the Kaspersky group, two in Russia and one in the United Kingdom, were added to the business ban list. As seen in “long and detailed” investigation, the companies cooperate with military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government, the text says. Read the full statement (PDF – 209 kB).

New restrictions on sales of Kaspersky’s antivirus in the US will come into effect on September 29 to give companies time to find alternatives. Downloads of updates to the software, resales and licensing of the product will also be blocked on that date. New business by the Russian company in the USA will be blocked 30 days after the restrictions are announced.

Kaspersky said in a statement that it believes the US Department of Commerce “made its decision based on the current geopolitical scenario and theoretical concerns rather than a technical assessment about the integrity of the products and services” offered by the company. Read the full note (PDF – 91 kB).

The Russian company highlighted that “the safety of the company’s products can be independently verified” by partners. He also said that “Kaspersky does not engage in activities that threaten the national security of the United States and, in fact, has made significant contributions to reporting and protecting against a variety of threats that target the interests of the United States and its allies”.

Conforme a Kaspersky, “the main impact of the measure is an advantage for cybercrime“, in addition to “take away the freedom that consumers and organizations, large and small, should have to use the protection they want”. He stated that “intends to pursue all legal options available to preserve its operations”.

With more than 25 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, Kaspersky has more than 400 million customers spread across more than 200 countries and territories, including Brazil.

O Poder360 contacted the Russian company asking about the possible impacts on the functioning of the company’s products in Brazil after the US decision, but did not receive a response until the publication of this text. The space remains open.