Is Kaspersky shutting down in the US? Yes, and here’s why

Is Kaspersky shutting down? It’s actually banned! Amid escalating regulatory actions by U.S. authorities, Kaspersky Lab has announced its decision to cease operations in the United States. This move comes in response to sanctions that have frozen assets, prohibited transactions, and labeled the company a national security risk.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security phrases it as a “first-of-its-kind” ban, and here is how it’s going so far.

Kaspersky Lab’s decision to shut down its operations in the United States stems from a series of regulatory actions and sanctions imposed by U.S. authorities, primarily driven by national security concerns and geopolitical tensions.

Here are all the details you need to know about it:

• Sanctions and regulatory actions: The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned twelve Kaspersky Lab executives on June 21, 2024. This action included freezing their U.S. assets and prohibiting U.S. individuals and businesses from conducting transactions with them. The Department of Commerce further designated AO Kaspersky Lab and affiliated entities to its Entity List, imposing restrictions that prevent U.S. businesses from engaging in commerce with them.
• National security risks: U.S. authorities, particularly the Bureau of Industry & Security, conducted an extensive investigation into Kaspersky Lab’s operations. The investigation concluded that the company’s close ties to Russia’s technology sector posed significant national security risks to the United States. Concerns centered around the potential for the Russian government to influence or direct Kaspersky Lab’s operations, thereby compromising U.S. cybersecurity interests.
• Business viability: In response to these sanctions and regulatory actions, Kaspersky Lab determined that continuing its operations in the United States under the current legal and regulatory environment would be untenable. The company cited the increasingly challenging business landscape created by these sanctions, which would impede its ability to operate effectively and competitively in the U.S. market.
• Compliance and transition: Kaspersky Lab emphasized its commitment to compliance with all regulatory requirements but acknowledged the practical difficulties of continuing operations given the sanctions. The company announced a phased approach to wind down its U.S. operations, including laying off its U.S.-based employees.

The decision by Kaspersky Lab to withdraw from the U.S. market underscores broader implications for global cybersecurity policies and international business operations. It reflects the intersection of cybersecurity concerns, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory oversight affecting technology companies operating in sensitive sectors.

Featured image generated by Eray Eliaçık/Bing