Kaspersky closes its American subsidiary. Sanctions decreed by the United States are forcing the Russian group to withdraw, almost twenty years after its arrival across the Atlantic.
Kaspersky has just announced the closure of its American subsidiary. As of July 20, 2024, the Russian company is giving up “gradually” all its activities in the United States. From this week, all employees will be laid off. As journalist Kim Zetter reports, fewer than 50 employees are affected by the closure of Kaspersky in the United States. They will receive severance pay.
Also read: Kaspersky explains how the Triangulation malware hijacked iOS
Kaspersky banned in the US
This decision was made after the ban decreed by Joe Biden’s administration. Last month, the Democratic administration banned Kaspersky from selling its software in the country. To justify the removal of Kaspersky, the US Department of Commerce highlighted fears about national security. The United States fears that the group, whose headquarters are based in Moscow, is cooperating with Russia’s intelligence services. This is why Kaspersky software was already banned from US government entities since 2017.
The US authorities also targeted twelve of Kaspersky’s executives on the sidelines of the announcement. Washington sanctioned company officials for working in Russia’s technology sector. All of their assets held in the United States have been frozen. Among those targeted were CFO Andrei Gennadyevich Tikhonov and Anton Mikhaylovich Ivanov, the chief technology officer. These members report directly to the CEO, Eugene Kaspersky. This nevertheless escapes US sanctions.
As far as Kaspersky is concerned, Washington is basing its decision on “the current geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns, rather than a comprehensive assessment of the integrity of Kaspersky products and services”. The firm denies any cooperation with the Kremlin services.
A difficult decision for Kaspersky
With its back against the wall, Kaspersky was forced to withdraw from the US market, in which it has operated for almost twenty years. In a press release shared with 01Net, the Russian antivirus states that it has “carefully considered and assessed the impact of US legal requirements and has made this sad and difficult decision as business opportunities in the country are no longer viable”.
Kaspersky indicates that its activity “Stay Robust”. The latest news is that Kaspersky’s US operations represent less than 10% of its global profits, which exceed $700 million annually.
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Source:
Zetter Zeroday
