Australia Bans Kaspersky Over National Security Risks
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Australia has banned the use of Kaspersky security software in government systems, citing concerns over foreign interference, espionage, and sabotage linked to the Russian company.
Stephanie Foster, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, stated that Kaspersky’s extensive data collection poses an unacceptable risk, as it could be subject to foreign government control conflicting with Australian law. Under the new directive (002-2025), government entities must remove all Kaspersky products by April 1, 2025.
Agencies may request exemptions for legitimate business reasons, but such approvals will be time-limited and require strict security measures. The move follows a similar U.S. ban in mid-2024, which forced Kaspersky to exit the U.S. market.
Is banning foreign security software like Kaspersky a smart move to protect national security, or is it just politics at play?