Kaspersky Lab, the prominent Russian cybersecurity company, announced the closure of its U.S. operations on July 15, 2024. This decision comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) banned Kaspersky from selling its antivirus software and providing updates to existing customers, citing national security concerns.
The shutdown will begin on July 20th and will involve layoffs for Kaspersky’s U.S.-based employees, numbering less than 50 according to the company. This marks the end of nearly two decades of Kaspersky’s presence in the American cybersecurity market.
In a statement, Kaspersky said it made the “sad and difficult decision” to shut down after “carefully examining and evaluating the impact of the U.S. legal requirements.” The ban, effective September 29th, makes it impossible for Kaspersky to conduct viable business in the country.
Kaspersky has consistently denied any ties to the Russian government and maintained the security of its products. However, the ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns about potential access to U.S. data by the Russian government likely influenced the BIS decision.
(Photo source: Kaspersky Lab)
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