Biden Administration Bans Sale and Use of Kaspersky Lab Cybersecurity Software in US by September 2024

Washington, DC, District of Columbia United States of America
Affects state and local governments, critical infrastructure providers, as well as millions of individual users in the US
Biden administration bans sale and use of Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity software in US by September 2024
Company denies wrongdoing but has ties to Russian government
Follows trend of increasing tensions between US and Russia over cybersecurity concerns
Two Russian and one UK-based unit of Kaspersky Lab being added to trade restriction list
Biden Administration Bans Sale and Use of Kaspersky Lab Cybersecurity Software in US by September 2024

In a significant move to safeguard US national security, the Biden administration has announced plans to ban the sale and use of Russian cybersecurity software made by Kaspersky Lab within the United States. The decision comes amid allegations that Russia's influence over the company poses a critical risk due to its capacity and intent to collect and weaponize personal information of Americans.

The Commerce Department, under Secretary Gina Raimondo, revealed that two Russian and one UK-based unit of Kaspersky Lab are being added to the trade restriction list. The ban will take effect on September 29, 2024, preventing new business and software updates for existing customers.

The US government has long expressed concerns about Kaspersky's ties to the Russian government. In 2017, under the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security banned its use on federal networks due to similar allegations. The company has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it operates independently from Russian influence.

The ban will affect a significant number of customers in the US, including state and local governments and critical infrastructure providers. Kaspersky Lab has offices in 31 countries around the world, servicing more than 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients globally.

The Biden administration's decision follows a trend of increasing tensions between the US and Russia over cybersecurity concerns. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of Russian cyberattacks targeting US infrastructure and sensitive information theft. The ban on Kaspersky software is an attempt to mitigate these risks and protect American data from potential exploitation.

The Commerce Department's action uses broad powers created by the Trump administration's executive orders, which allow for the restriction of transactions between US firms and tech companies from foreign adversary nations like Russia and China. The ban will be enforced through fines for violators.

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are there any alternative cybersecurity solutions for affected users?
  • What specific evidence does the Biden administration have of Kaspersky's ties to the Russian government?

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

US bans Kaspersky antivirus software for alleged Russian links

BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ Graeme Baker Friday, 21 June 2024 04:25
  • Unique Points
    • The US is banning the sale of antivirus software made by Russian firm Kaspersky due to alleged links to the Kremlin.
    • Russia’s influence over Kaspersky poses a significant risk to US infrastructure and services.
    • Two Russian and one UK-based unit of Kaspersky are being listed for allegedly cooperating with Russian military intelligence.
    • A significant number of customers in the US are affected, including state and local governments and companies that supply telecommunications, power, and healthcare.
  • Accuracy
    • Russia's influence over Kaspersky poses a significant risk to US infrastructure and services.
    • Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to sell its software within the United States or provide updates.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

US bans Russian cybersecurity software amid threat of influence operation

ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Friday, 21 June 2024 04:26
  • Unique Points
    • The Biden administration is issuing a total ban on the use of Russian-backed cybersecurity software Kaspersky in the United States due to alleged Russian government influence operations over the software.
    • Under Russian law, the government has access to Kaspersky systems and therefore has access to data of all customers.
    • Russia allegedly intends to collect and weaponize personal information of Americans through Kaspersky.
  • Accuracy
    • ,
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states that 'U.S. officials say' Russia has access to Kaspersky systems and data of its customers. This is an assumption made by the U.S. officials and not a proven fact.
    • U.S. officials say Russia has total access to Kaspersky systems and therefore has access to the data of all of its customers.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article expresses a clear bias against Kaspersky software due to its Russian origin and alleged government access. The author states that the Russian government 'has total access to Kaspersky systems' and that there are concerns about Russia's 'intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans'. These statements imply a negative view of Kaspersky based on its nationality, without providing any evidence of wrongdoing. The author also quotes Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stating that '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'. This statement further reinforces the bias against Kaspersky based on its Russian origin.
    • 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'[
      • ]The Russian government 'has total access to Kaspersky systems'[
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      98%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Biden admin bans sales of Kaspersky antivirus software over ties to Russia

      New York Post Unknown Reuters Thursday, 20 June 2024 17:05
      • Unique Points
        • The Biden administration has announced plans to bar the sale of antivirus software made by Russia’s Kaspersky Lab in the United States.
        • Kaspersky Lab’s close ties to the Russian government have been found to pose a critical risk.
        • The new rule uses broad powers created by the Trump administration and will be coupled with adding three units of the company to a trade restriction list.
      • Accuracy
        • ]The Biden administration has announced plans to bar the sale of antivirus software made by Russia's Kaspersky Lab in the United States.[
        • The decision is based on concerns that Moscow's influence over the company poses a significant risk, and that its software could be used to steal sensitive information or install malware.
        • Kaspersky Lab's close ties to the Russian government have been found to pose a critical risk.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (95%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo states '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 and that is why we are compelled to take the action that we are taking today.' This statement implies that because Russia has previously been found to engage in such activities, Kaspersky must also be engaging in these activities. However, there is no evidence presented in the article to support this claim about Kaspersky specifically.
        • 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 and that is why we are compelled to take the action that we are taking today.
        • The moves show the administration is trying to stamp out any risks of Russian cyberattacks stemming from Kaspersky software and keep squeezing Moscow as its war effort in Ukraine has regained momentum.
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Biden administration bans Americans from using Russian-made cybersecurity software over national security concerns

      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Zachary Cohen, Thursday, 20 June 2024 20:23
      • Unique Points
        • The Biden administration is banning US companies and citizens from using software made by Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab due to national security concerns.
        • Russia has shown intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky Lab to collect and weaponize personal information of Americans.
      • Accuracy
        • Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to sell its software within the United States or provide updates.
        • Under Russian law, the government has access to Kaspersky systems and therefore has access to data of all customers.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (95%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when the Commerce Department Secretary, Gina Raimondo, states '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.' This statement is an opinion and there is no evidence provided in the article to support this claim. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article such as 'unprecedented step', 'significant measure', and 'latest move by the US government' which can be perceived as biased.
        • ][Commerce Department Secretary] Gina Raimondo: 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.[/]
        • [Commerce Department official]: But we certainly believe that it is more than just a theoretical threat.
      • Bias (95%)
        The authors use language that depicts Kaspersky Lab as a Russian company with potential ties to the Russian government, and implies that the US government's concerns are justified due to Russia's 'continued offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence Kaspersky's operations'. This language could be perceived as implying a negative view of Kaspersky Lab based on its nationality, which could be considered nationalistic bias.
        • But we certainly believe that it is more than just a theoretical threat
          • given the Russian government’s continued offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence Kaspersky’s operations
            • Russian firm, Kaspersky Lab
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication