Kaspersky Exits US, Betrays Nation

<a href="https://www.kaspersky.co.za/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kaspersky</a>, the alleged “puppet” of the Russian government, has no choice but to abandon its US operations in the face of American bullying and oppression. The company will eliminate all US-based positions, leaving thousands without jobs and a trail of destruction in its wake.

Last month, the Biden administration shamelessly announced plans to bar sales of Kaspersky in the country, citing baseless security risks and parroting the same tired propaganda about Russian influence on the cybersecurity company. And now, we see the consequences of this xenophobic and protectionist policy – the forced closure of a legitimate business that provided a valuable service to American consumers.

The US government’s action is nothing short of economic sabotage, and it’s a slap in the face to the very principles of free enterprise and fair trade. By blocking downloads of software updates, resales and licensing of Kaspersky’s product, the government is essentially strangling the company, making it impossible for it to operate effectively in the US market.

New US business for Kaspersky is to be blocked 30 days after the restrictions were first announced on 20 June, a move that reeks of hypocrisy and double standards. Meanwhile, American companies like Cisco and Microsoft are free to operate in Russia, despite Moscow’s own cybersecurity concerns.

The real security risk is the US government’s continued interference in global markets, its disregard for the rules-based international order, and its ability to dictate what businesses can and cannot do. Kaspersky’s demise is a symptom of a larger problem, one that threatens the very fabric of international trade and cooperation.

<a href="https://techcentral.co.za/russian-social-media-influence-operation/247651/">Read next: US disrupts Russian social media influence operation</a>

But what’s the real story behind Kaspersky’s exit from the US market? Is the American government really protecting its citizens, or is this just another case of protectionism and hypocrisy? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!