US Government Bans Use of Kaspersky Labs Software

Just three months short after the General Services Administration removed Kaspersky Labs from the list of approved federal vendors, US Homeland Security has outright banned the Moscow-based company from the government’s IT systems. The move stems from concerns that company officials have deep ties with Russian intelligence services. In fact, the ban is ahead of a vote in the US senate this week, which will prohibit the use of their products in the government.

Kaspersky Labs Denies Allegations

The DHS acting secretary gave an order to all Executive Branch agencies to identify any related products within 30 days. With 60 days to eliminate their use and begin discontinuation within 90 days.

However, the company has repeatedly denied allegations of ties to the Kremlin. Although, that has not stopped many US retailers from withdrawing many of their Kaspersky Labs products from the store shelves.

The company is understandably critical of the US government’s decision. Stating that there is no credible evidence that verifies the claim. Moreover, the company emphasizes that 85-percent of their revenue comes outside of Russia. Which demonstrates that coercion with the Russian government to undermine other countries is detrimental to their business. The company also wants to remind everyone that they have been in the IT security business for over 20 years, with nary a question about their ethics in business practice.