The Biden administration has announced sanctions on 12 senior leaders at Russia’s AO Kaspersky Lab, citing cybersecurity risks and concerns over national security. This move comes after the decision to ban the sale of the company’s antivirus software in the United States. Among those targeted by the sanctions are the chief operating officer and chief legal officer of Kaspersky Lab, as the US strives to protect against malicious cyber threats and ensure the integrity of its cyber domain.
According to the US Department of the Treasury, the sanctions prohibit American companies and citizens from trading or conducting financial transactions with the sanctioned executives, as well as freeze their assets held in the United States. AO Kaspersky, one of two Russian units of Kaspersky Lab, was placed on Washington’s trade-restriction list for allegedly cooperating with Russian military intelligence to support cyber-intelligence goals. Despite Kaspersky Lab’s statement asserting that it does not engage in activities threatening US national security, the US maintains that the company is subject to the control or direction of the Russian government, posing risks to sensitive data.
While Kaspersky Lab vows to pursue legal options to protect its operations, the Kremlin has criticized the US decision, labeling it as a tactic for eliminating competition for American companies. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denounced the move as unfair competition, highlighting Kaspersky Lab’s international competitiveness. In response, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the concern over the susceptibility of the company’s products to exploitation by the Russian government, emphasizing the unacceptable risk it poses to national security and the safety of Americans.
