The Kremlin has denounced the United States’ recent decision to ban sales of antivirus software from Russia’s Kaspersky Lab, labeling it as a tactic to suppress foreign competition in favor of American products.
On Thursday, the Biden administration announced the ban, citing concerns over the Kremlin’s alleged influence on Kaspersky, which it claims poses a significant security risk to U.S. consumers and businesses. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated, “Russia has shown it has the capacity and the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans.”
Responding to the ban, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the move as a “favorite technique of unfair competition from the United States.” He defended Kaspersky as a “very competitive” company on international markets, suggesting that the ban is an attempt to undermine its success.
Kaspersky Lab has refuted the allegations, asserting that its operations do not threaten U.S. national security and that it has no ties to the Russian government. The company stated it is privately managed and emphasized its commitment to pursue legal options to challenge the ban. “We believe the U.S. decision was not based on a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky’s products and services,” the company said in a statement.
The ban marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the U.S. and Russia, with potential implications for international businesses operating in the cybersecurity sector. Analysts suggest that the move could further strain technological collaborations and increase skepticism towards global tech firms.
This development comes amid heightened concerns over cybersecurity threats and the protection of personal data, highlighting the complex interplay between national security and global commerce.
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Kremlin says U.S. Kaspersky software ban stifles competition
cgtn.com
