US Sanctions Kaspersky Executives Over Cybersecurity Concerns

The United States has imposed sanctions on 12 senior leaders of Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, a day after banning the sale of its antivirus software in the country due to national security concerns. The sanctions, announced by the Treasury Department, target many of Kaspersky Lab's top executives, including its Chief Operating Officer Andrei Tikhonov and Chief Legal Officer Igor Chekhunov, while sparing the CEO and the company itself.

The Treasury Department cited the firm's subjection to the "jurisdiction, control, or direction" of the Russian government, which they argue poses an unacceptable risk to US national security and the safety of US persons. Concurrently, the Commerce Department announced a ban on providing Kaspersky's antivirus products in the United States following a detailed investigation. The move is part of broader efforts to mitigate potential cybersecurity threats linked to foreign entities.