Biden administration preparing to prevent Americans from using Russian-made software over national security concern

The Biden administration is preparing to take the unusual step of issuing an order that would prevent US companies and citizens from using software made by a major Russian cybersecurity firm because of national security concerns, five US officials familiar with the matter told CNN.

The move, which is being finalized and could happen as soon as this month, would use relatively new Commerce Department authorities built on executive orders signed by Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump to prohibit Kaspersky Lab from providing certain products and services in the US, the sources said.

Nothing is final until it is announced, the sources cautioned, but the Commerce Department has made an “initial determination” to prohibit certain transactions between the Russian company and US persons, the sources said.

It`s the latest US government effort to use its vast regulatory powers to prevent Americans from using popular technology that US officials consider a national security risk.

The sources declined to detail the full scope of any final order against Kaspersky products, but its focus is expected to be on the firm`s anti-virus software.

A Commerce Department spokesperson declined to comment on any potential pending action related to Kaspersky products.

US officials have for years alleged that the Russian government could force Kaspersky Lab to hand over data or use its anti-virus software to attempt to carry out hacking or surveillance of Americans — accusations that Kaspersky Lab strenuously denies.

Under US law, Kaspersky Lab can appeal the “initial determination” to prohibit use of its products or strike a deal with the government that mitigates US security concerns before any final ruling from Commerce is announced.

More than 400 million people and 240,000 companies worldwide use Kaspersky Lab`s software products, according to the company. (read more cnn)

Comments

Tesla Cybertruck turns into world's most expensive brick after car wash

Bulletproof? Is it waterproof? Ts&Cs say: 'Failure to put Cybertruck in Car Wash Mode may result in damage' (via theregister ) The perils of turning cars into computers were laid bare by a hapless Cybertruck owner who claimed his ride was rendered an $80,000 "paperweight" by something as benign as a wash. Now, we tech-savvy people are well aware that computers and water do not mix. But cars get dirty, and when you've tossed your life savings into a Cybertruck, you'd probably want to keep it looking immaculate. At the same time, we'd hesitate to hose off our motherboard even if the cat hair level was approaching critical mass. But when your car is a computer, what are your options? As noted by motoring zine Jalopnik , a TikTok user going by @captian.ad regaled his followers with a tale of how he took his Cybertruck to the beach with his dogs. What sounds like a lovely day out soon turned to sorrow, however, as on the way back he stoppe...

Elon Musk insists Tesla isn’t a car company as sales falter

If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation. That's advice Don Draper of "Mad Men" once gave. And it appears Tesla ( TSLA ) CEO Elon Musk is taking it. (via finance.yahoo ) By the numbers, Tesla painted a dismal picture through its latest quarterly results . But the stock told a different story : excitement. New models are on the way, Musk said. And beyond that, Tesla will prosper as a pioneer in autonomous ridesharing. Shares jumped following the earnings release, and the momentum carried over into morning trading Wednesday as the stock surged as much as 14%. As Tesla car sales faltered, Musk delivered an optimistic pivot: Tesla isn't a car company.Sales fell 9% from a year ago in the most recent quarter, the first drop in four years. Operating profit tumbled more than 50% from the same period last year. Guidance, too, was a drag, as executives foresee "notably lower volume." But the market loved Tesla reassuring the world tha...

Tesla profits drop 55%, company says EV sales ‘under pressure’ from hybrids

Tesla profits fell 55% to $1.13 billion in the first quarter from the same year-ago period as a protracted EV price-cutting strategy and “ several unforeseen challenges” cut into the automaker’s bottom line. (via techcrunch ) Tesla reported revenue of $21.3 billion in the first quarter, a 9% drop from the first quarter of 2023. Analysts polled by Yahoo Finance expected earnings of $0.51 per share on $22.15 billion in revenue. Tesla reported operating income of $1.2 billion in the first quarter, a 54% decrease from the same year-ago period. The company said in its Q1 earnings report that it experienced “numerous challenges” in the first quarter, including the Red Sea conflict and the arson attack at Gigafactory Berlin and the gradual ramp of the updated Model 3 at its factory in Fremont, California. Tesla also noted that global EV sales continue to be under pressure as many carmakers prioritize hybrids over EVs. On the upside, t...

The Pulse

Search This Blog