Russian Cybersecurity Firm Kaspersky Labs Forced Out of US Amid National Security Concerns. Officials Warn of Russia's Intent to 'Weaponize the Personal Information of America.'

Kaspersky Labs, a Russian cybersecurity firm, has announced it will leave the US market after the Biden administration banned sales and distribution of its software in the country. The US Commerce Department banned Kaspersky products, citing national security risks from Moscow's potential influence over the company and its ability to access and weaponize Americans' personal data. Kaspersky will stop all US operations and eliminate local jobs as business opportunities are "no longer viable" due to the ban. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the U.S. was forced to act because of Russia's "capacity and... intent to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans".