Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs is set to close its operations in the US. The firm will terminate all employees working in its US division, according to Zero Day.
While the exact number of employees affected by the closure has not been specified, Kaspersky Labs indicated that fewer than 50 workers in the US will be laid off as a result of this move.
Kaspersky Labs’ exit from the US market is primarily driven by government concerns regarding potential ties to Russia. Effective 20 July,, the US government has imposed a ban on the sale of Kaspersky software in the country, citing national security risks associated with the company’s alleged connections to the Russian government. The US Department of Commerce announced the ban in June following an undisclosed investigation.
For Kaspersky users in the US, this means the software will no longer be available for purchase, potentially affecting updates and malware protection for existing users.
In response to the situation, Kaspersky Labs described the decision as “sad” and “difficult”, attributing it to the lack of viable business opportunities in the US market. The company stated that it has carefully examined and evaluated the impact of the US legal requirements. It highlighted that it’s a difficult decision as business opportunities in the country are no longer viable.