Kaspersky Removed from Google Play Store After US Restrictions

Citing US Restrictions, Google Removes Kaspersky Lab’s Antivirus Software from Play Store

In a significant move, Google has removed Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software from the Play Store and terminated its developer account ahead of the September 29th deadline imposed by US restrictions. This decision was officially announced on Kaspersky's blog, highlighting the implications of overinterpretation of US regulations.

The Background of the US Restrictions

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security issued a series of restrictions against Kaspersky earlier in the month of June, labeling the company a security threat. In response to these sanctions, Kaspersky took swift action, uprooting its operations in the US.

Impacts of the Removal

Kaspersky's blog post clarifies that the restrictions do not outright prohibit the distribution or sales of its products and services outside of the United States. However, Google’s action led to a situation where users have reported inability to access or download Kaspersky products from Google Play.

Apps previously installed from Google Play will continue to function.
Users will not receive any updates to the app.
The app cannot be reinstalled from Google Play.

User Reports and Responses

On September 27, Kaspersky forum users began discussing access issues, reporting that the app was no longer listed on the Google Play Store. A Kaspersky employee confirmed two days later that both downloads and updates for Kaspersky products were temporarily unavailable on the platform.

Google's Official Statement

In a statement to BleepingComputer, Google confirmed that the removal was a reaction to the various sanctions placed on Kaspersky by the US government. However, the tech giant did not provide immediate comment to The Verge regarding this matter.

The Future of Kaspersky in the US

By July, Kaspersky had already taken action to adapt to the changed landscape, replacing itself on US computers with antivirus software from UltraAV without user permission. This transition reflects an effort by Kaspersky to navigate the complicated regulatory environment while still providing some level of service to its American user base.

Conclusion

The removal of Kaspersky’s antivirus software from Google Play raises questions about the broader implications for cybersecurity companies affected by geopolitical tensions. As the situation continues to unfold, users and industry stakeholders alike will be monitoring the effects on both Kaspersky's reputation and its user services in the United States.

Kaspersky Antivirus Removed from Google Play Store