Kaspersky is said to have had much closer ties to the Russian intelligence service FSB than has been publicly admitted. The security company is said to have developed special products for the FSB and assist the service during raids. Kaspersky denies the allegations.
Bloomberg news agency says it has internal emails from Kaspersky, which would show how close the ties are between the security company and Russian intelligence. Based on an explanation from a source familiar with Kaspersky’s anti-DDOs system, Bloomberg concludes that the emails indicate that Kaspersky provides the FSB with real-time information about the location of hackers. Experts from the security company are also said to have been present during raids carried out by the FSB. Kaspersky would thus not only fight cybercrime in general, but also support the Russian intelligence services in catching criminals.
The project leader at Kaspersky was the chief legal officer, Igor Chekunov, a former police officer and KGB officer. According to three sources allegedly familiar with Chekunov’s role, he is the first person the FSB and other Russian security services turn to when technical support is needed. Another Kaspersky Lab employee, Ruslan Stoyanov, is said to have been present during raids by the FSB. Stoyanov is said to have worked in a cybercrime unit of a Russian ministry in the past. In December last year, however, he is said to have been arrested on suspicion of treason; according to Kaspersky, these are allegations from before he worked at the company. Stoyanov could not be reached for comment.
Kaspersky has responded to Bloomberg’s report, denying that the company has any unauthorized affiliation with any government. According to Kaspersky, the security firm regularly works with governments around the world, but only to fight cybercrime. The Russian antivirus software maker believes the facts have either been misinterpreted or manipulated by Bloomberg so that it can be used by those who want to prove the existence of close ties between Kaspersky and the Russian government. Kaspersky argues that there is no evidence for the existence of these links. In addition, the security company denies that the location of hackers is actively being traced and that their personal data is being handed over to the Russian government.
In May, six directors of US intelligence and investigation services were questioned by a US Senate committee whether they use Kaspersky software in their networks. This was widely denied. According to Bloomberg, the question about this, posed by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, came out of nowhere; this would usually indicate that a senator is indirectly trying to draw attention to something he has been briefed about in a secret briefing.
In May, it emerged that US authorities have launched an investigation into Kaspersky. There are concerns within the US government about possible links between the security company and the Russian government. Kaspersky is also suspected of spying on American computer systems through the antivirus software. Founder Eugene Kaspersky denied these allegations.
According to ABC News, the Trump administration is considering a ban on the use of Kaspersky software and services in the government. That’s what sources familiar with the plans say to the news channel. Presumably, a ban would concern future contracts. A decision on this would be made in the coming days.