On July 11, the Trump administration removed Kaspersky Lab from Moscow from two lists of approved suppliers used by government agencies to purchase technology equipment, amid concerns that the Kremlin's information security products could be used by the Kremlin to enter US networks.
The lifting of the list is the most concrete action taken against Kaspersky after months of suspicion among intelligence officials and lawmakers that the company could be closely linked to hostile Russian intelligence agencies accused of cyber attacks on the United States.
Kaspersky's products have been removed from the list of suppliers in the US Department of Public Services for contracts involving information technology services and digital imaging equipment, a spokeswoman said in a statement. The action was taken "after careful review and study," the spokeswoman said, adding that the priorities of the General Assembly "are to ensure the safety and security of the systems and networks of the US government."
Government agencies will continue to be able to use Kaspersky products purchased separately. The Kaspersky Anti-Virus software has reaped great popularity in the US and around the world, and the company has been a leading player in the information security market for decades.
In a statement, Kaspersky Lab said it had not received any updates from GSA or any other US government agency regarding the seller's condition. "Kaspersky Lab has nothing to do with any government, and the company has not helped and will not help any government in the world through its cyber espionage efforts," the company said.
Lawmakers have raised concerns that Moscow may use the company's products to attack US computer networks, a particularly sensitive issue given US intelligence agencies' claims that Russia has broken through and infiltrated e-mails from Democratic political groups to intervene in the 2016 presidential campaign