Many Kaspersky users in the US have reported confusion over the automatic removal of the anti-virus software from their computers and its replacement with two new applications, UltraAV and UltraVPN, without any prior notification. This change occurred after Kaspersky was banned from selling products in the US due to security concerns and its ties to Russia. As a result, US customers have been redirected to UltraAV, a new company operating in the US. However, the automatic removal and installation of new software without user consent has sparked controversy, with many users expressing concerns about the lack of choice in the matter.
Kaspersky has confirmed that this switch only affects US customers and does not require any action from the users. The company also assures that UltraAV will provide protection services similar to Kaspersky. It remains unclear whether a similar policy will be applied in other regions, as the ban is currently only effective in the US.
This recent move by Kaspersky reflects the challenges the company is facing following the US ban. While the transition to UltraAV may be a temporary solution, it has raised questions about user privacy and choice.