WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab, maker of a popular antivirus software, to its list of communications equipment and service providers deemed threats to U.S. national security. U.S. government officials have long maintained that running Kaspersky software could open American networks to malign activity from Moscow and banned Kaspersky’s flagship antivirus product from federal networks in 2017. Once a company is on the list, federal subsidies can’t be used to purchase its equipment or services. The action is part of the FCC’s efforts to “strengthen America’s communications networks against national security threats,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated in a news release. Kaspersky is a well-known provider of antivirus software, and has conducted investigations into a range of nation-state hacking incidents.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 01, 2022 18:22 UTC