In light of the Russian-Ukraine conflict, Russian cybersecurity firm AO Kaspersky Lab has been placed on a list of companies that the United States government considers a risk to US national security. This list will prohibit telecommunications-related US federal subsidies from being used to buy Kaspersky products and services.
Specifically, Kaspersky is being added to the Federal Communications Commission’s list of equipment and services covered by Section 2 of the Secure Networks Act. This means that Kaspersky’s communications equipment and services can no longer be bought by US-based businesses using the FCC Universal Service Fund subsidy program. The Russian firm was added along with two other companies, namely China Mobile International USA Inc and China Telecom (Americas) Corp. Other notable names on this list include Huawei and ZTE, both added back in 2021.
It also isn’t the first time Kaspersky has found themselves in trouble with the US authorities. Back in September 2017, the US government prohibited the use of Kaspersky products and services on federal information systems. The Department of Homeland Security had determined that the risks presented by Kaspersky-branded products causes enough worry to justify the 2017 ban on Kaspersky software. That ban came following allegations that Kaspersky’s antivirus software was used by Russian intelligence to steal information from the National Security Agency.
Kaspersky has since responded to the move, stating that they’re disappointed with the FCC’s decision and that it was made on political grounds. They add that they still believe the 2017 restrictions were unconstitutional and didn’t have any evidence of wrongdoing by them.
“Kaspersky is disappointed with the decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prohibit certain telecommunications-related federal subsidies from being used to purchase Kaspersky products and services. This decision is not based on any technical assessment of Kaspersky products – that the company continuously advocates for – but instead is being made on political grounds,” – Kaspersky press statement
On top of that, the Russian firm says that they will continue to assure its partners and customers on the quality and integrity of its products, as well as that they’re ready to cooperate with US government agencies if needed too. Kaspersky also maintains that they do not have any ties with the Russian government, or any government for that matter.
