Kaspersky has announced the closure of its US branch, effective July 20, and the resulting layoffs of its employees. This decision comes in response to the US government’s ban on the sale of Kaspersky products. Initially, the Russian cybersecurity firm had planned to challenge the court’s ban; however, given the recent news of layoffs, it remains uncertain whether this will still be pursued.
In a statement, Kaspersky attributed the branch closure to the impact of US regulatory requirements, stating that conducting business in the US is no longer feasible. The closure is anticipated to affect fewer than 50 employees, some of whom have reported receiving severance pay, although specific details were not disclosed.
Citing concerns about potential data leak risks due to the company’s ties to the Russian government, the US government has imposed restrictions that prohibit organizations and businesses from downloading software updates, reselling, or licensing Kaspersky products. Affected entities are being advised to explore alternative anti-malware solutions to protect their computer systems from potential security threats.
