Security News > 2024 > July > Kaspersky culls staff, closes doors in US amid Biden's ban

Kaspersky has confirmed it will shutter its American operations and cut US-based jobs following President Biden's ban on the Russian business last month.

"Starting from July 20 Kaspersky will gradually wind down its US operations and eliminate US-based positions," the rep told us.

"The decision and process follows the final determination by the US Department of Commerce, prohibiting the sales and distribution of Kaspersky products in the US.".

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced the ban in June, and at the time said Kaspersky would for national security reasons no longer be allowed to sell software in the US to new customers from July 20.

The next day, the US Treasury Department sanctioned a dozen C-suite and senior-level executives at the antivirus maker, but notably left CEO and co-founder Eugene Kaspersky off the list.

Kaspersky also denied it was a threat to US national security - Uncle Sam says the lab's products could be used by the Kremlin to backdoor American systems - and pledged to pursue legal action over the issue.

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https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/07/15/kasperky_us_operations/