Kaspersky sacks dozens, to shut down US operations

Russian anti-virus giant Kaspersky has sacked dozens of its employees and shutting down its operations after the United States banned the sale and use of the software in its domain citing security risks.

Kaspersky declared a “gradual wind down” of its US activities beginning July 20, which coincided with the ban’s activation.

Due to the restriction, the company considers its US business “no longer viable”.

Kaspersky first disputed the prohibition, stating that they “do not engage in activities that threaten US national security.

The company promised to pursue all legal options” to continue operating.

However, facing an uphill battle, they chose to withdraw.

Last month, the US authorities declared that Kaspersky antivirus software would no longer be sold across the country and asked users to move to an alternate provider.

READ ALSO: US bans sale of Kaspersky software citing Russian security risks

The Bureau of Industry and Security of the Commerce Department announced that it had implemented the “first of its kind” ban, claiming that Kaspersky’s Russian basis puts consumers’ privacy and national security at risk.

“Russia has shown it has the capacity, and even more than that, the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans.

‘‘And that’s why we are compelled to take the action that we’re taking today,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a call with reporters.

According to Raimondo, Kaspersky will be banned from selling its software to American consumers and businesses starting on July 20, after that the company will no longer be permitted to push software updates to U.S. customers.

“That means your software and services will degrade. That’s why I strongly recommend that you immediately find an alternative to Kaspersky,” Raimondo said.

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