The Biden administration is preparing to issue an order that would prevent US companies and citizens from using software made by the Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, citing national security concerns. While US government agencies are already banned from using Kaspersky Lab software, this potential action would extend to private companies, marking an unprecedented move. The focus of the order is expected to be on the firm’s anti-virus software, with the goal of mitigating any risk to critical US infrastructure.
The order would utilize Commerce Department authorities derived from executive orders signed by Presidents Biden and Trump, allowing the government to prohibit certain transactions between Kaspersky Lab and US persons. The move comes as part of ongoing efforts by the US government to prevent Americans from using technology considered a national security risk, similar to the Senate’s consideration of a bill that would force Chinese-owned TikTok to find a new owner or face a ban. The potential prohibition against Kaspersky products is based on long-standing allegations that the Russian government could exploit the company’s software for hacking or surveillance purposes.
More than 400 million people and 240,000 companies worldwide, including an unknown number in the US, use Kaspersky Lab’s software products. The pending order suggests that US officials believe the risk posed by the software to US infrastructure justifies such action, despite potential practical challenges in enforcing the regulation. The move by the Biden administration builds on previous efforts by the Trump administration to purge Kaspersky Lab software from US federal civilian agencies and military networks, extending the restrictions to private companies.
Founded in Moscow in 1997, Kaspersky Lab has faced ongoing suspicion from US officials due to its ties to Russia and founder Eugene Kaspersky’s background in cryptography, including studies at a KGB-sponsored university. The company has denied any unethical affiliations with the Russian government and has a reputation for top-tier cybersecurity research. While some incidents involving Kaspersky Lab have led to arrests of individuals related to stolen classified information, the company’s relationship with the US government remains contentious, with accusations of potential ties to Russian government hackers.
Despite these allegations and legal battles, Kaspersky Lab has maintained its innocence and expressed frustration at being caught in geopolitical tensions between the West and Russia. The company has cooperated with the US government in the past, leading to successful arrests, but suspicions remain high, particularly following incidents in which Russian hackers reportedly targeted NSA contractors through Kaspersky Lab software use. The company has denied any involvement in such incidents and has pushed back against false accusations, while US officials continue to raise concerns about the potential national security risks associated with the software.
