No inappropriate ties with any government, says Kaspersky

Russia's Kaspersky Lab, which faces US allegations of having links with Russian intelligence agencies, today said it does not have "inappropriate ties" with any government nor has it helped anyone with cyber espionage.
The US has asked federal agencies to stop using Kaspersky software on concerns of possible ties between the company's officials, the Kremlin and Russian intelligence services, which it said could potentially risk US national security.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the US over allegations of Moscow interfering in last year's US presidential election.
US-based electronics retailer Best Buy has reportedly said it will no longer sell software made by the Russian company.

"Given that Kaspersky Lab doesn't have inappropriate ties with any government, the company is disappointed with the decision by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)," the company's Chief Executive Eugene Kaspersky said in a statement.
He added that the company will provide additional information to the agency in order to confirm that these allegations are completely unfounded.

"No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organisation as the accusations are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions, including the claims about Russian regulations and policies impacting the company," he said.
Kaspersky, whose security solutions are also available in India, said over 85 per cent of its revenue comes from outside of Russia.

This further demonstrates that working inappropriately with any government would be detrimental to the company's bottom line, it highlighted.
"Kaspersky Lab has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage or offensive cyber efforts and it's disconcerting that a private company can be considered guilty until proven innocent, due to geopolitical issues," it said.
It added that a deeper examination will substantiate that "these allegations are without merit".