The U.S. Department of Homeland Security banned Kaspersky Antivirus on government computers way back in 2017. Now the U.S Federal Communications Commission has placed internet-security provider Kaspersky Labs on a list of companies deemed a threat to national security, for the first time adding a Russian entity to a list dominated by Chinese telecommunications firms.
The Federal Communications Commission also added China Telecom (Americas) Corp, and China Mobile International USA Inc. to the list. Once a company is on the list, federal subsidies can’t be used to purchase its equipment or services.
Kaspersky’s website boasts 400+ Million subscribers in over 200 countries and territories. Even though they insinuate that they are a UK based company, “We are a private international company with the holding company domiciled in the UK” the fact is that Kaspersky is based in Russia and all companies located in Russia have an obligation to share any and all information available to it with the Russian government.
Individual users may continue to use products blacklisted by the FCC if they choose to do so, but is that even a good idea? If you are using Kaspersky Anti-virus, perhaps it’s time to search out a replacement and completely uninstall Kaspersky from your computer systems. If you try to install Kaspersky’s free tools, Windows Defender may flag Kaspersky as being dangerous.
A list of companies identified as being an unacceptable risk to our nation’s security follows.
| Covered Equipment or Services** | Date of Inclusion on Covered List |
| Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entity or using such equipment. | March 12, 2021 |
| Telecommunications equipment produced by ZTE Corporation, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entity or using such equipment. | March 12, 2021 |
| Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entity or using such equipment. | March 12, 2021 |
| Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entity or using such equipment. | March 12, 2021 |
| Video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Dahua Technology Company, to the extent it is used for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, including telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entity or using such equipment. | March 12, 2021 |
| Information security products, solutions, and services supplied, directly or indirectly, by AO Kaspersky Lab or any of its predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates. | March 25, 2022 |
| International telecommunications services provided by China Mobile International USA Inc. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. | March 25, 2022 |
| Telecommunications services provided by China Telecom (Americas) Corp. subject to section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. | March 25, 2022 |
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