The telecommunications watchdog FCC has added Kaspersky Labs to its list of companies that pose an “unacceptable risk to US national security.” This means that US companies are no longer allowed to trade with that company. Until now, the list consisted mainly of Chinese companies including Huawei and ZTE. The war in Ukraine now seems to be changing that. Kaspersky was the first Russian company to make the list.

Kaspersky Labs has been linked with the Kremlin several times in recent years, and that pressure has intensified in recent weeks. Therefore, the German government has advised the company not to use its security products anymore. U.S. government departments have not been able to do that for a long time. The company itself has always denied the allegations. Last week it reiterated that it had nothing to do with the Kremlin, saying in response to the FCC that it was a “politically motivated” verdict.

Kaspersky Labs has been trying to stay away from its Russian descent for years. For example, it shifted its European data processing to Switzerland a few years ago, and has set up a transparency center following companies like Huwei. At that center, clients and researchers can explore holes and the code for suspicious FSB influence. The intent was to win the trust (again), but it clearly did not work on the American side.

In addition to Kaspersky, China Telecom and China Mobile International USA were also added to the blacklist on Friday.

The telecommunications watchdog FCC has added Kaspersky Labs to its list of companies that pose an “unacceptable risk to US national security.” This means that US companies are no longer allowed to trade with that company. Until now, the list consisted mainly of Chinese companies including Huawei and ZTE. The war in Ukraine now seems to be changing that. Kaspersky was the first Russian company to make the list. Kaspersky Labs has been linked with the Kremlin several times in recent years, and that pressure has intensified in recent weeks. Therefore, the German government has advised the company not to use its security products anymore. U.S. government departments have not been able to do that for a long time. The company itself has always denied the allegations. Last week it reiterated that it had nothing to do with the Kremlin, saying in response to the FCC that it was a “politically motivated” verdict. Kaspersky Labs has been trying to stay away from its Russian descent for years. For example, it shifted its European data processing to Switzerland a few years ago, and has set up a transparency center following companies like Huwei. At that center, clients and researchers can explore holes and the code for suspicious FSB influence. The intent to gain (again) confidence was clear, but it clearly failed on the US side. In addition to Kaspersky, China Telecom and China Mobile International USA were also added to the blacklist on Friday.