The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice confirming that it has banned the use of devices that integrate Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus software. This comes months after the US banned the sale of Kaspersky products, prompting the company to lay off all US employees and close all US offices.
The US telecom regulator’s statement confirmed that Kaspersky has been added to the “Covered List” of equipment and services that “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of American citizens.”
Devices running Kaspersky software do not require an FCC Equipment Authorization. Telecom companies using Kaspersky software must remove it from their networks and replace it with another security vendor.
It took a long time
Kaspersky has repeatedly denied that it is in any way influenced by the Russian government, and has even issued a third party assessment of its code, but this was rejected by US officials. In a statement about the ban, CEO Eugene Kaspersky confirmed the company’s willingness to be transparent,
“These are in fact the mitigating measures we submitted in a proposal for discussion to the US Department of Commerce – reaffirming our openness to dialogue and determination to provide the ultimate level of security assurances. However, our proposal was simply ignored.”
The cybersecurity firm first faced U.S. restrictions in 2017, when the Department of Homeland Security restricted the use of Kaspersky software across all government departments and agencies. Shortly after, it imposed a ban on all U.S. military systems, citing fears of Kremlin influence.
Via The register
