Australia Shuts Out Kaspersky Over Espionage Fears

The Australian government has banned the use of Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity software on official systems, citing concerns over espionage, foreign interference, and sabotage. Government agencies must remove all Kaspersky products by April, according to Stephanie Foster, secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.

 

National Security Risks

Foster warned that Kaspersky’s extensive data collection and its potential exposure to Russian government directives pose an unacceptable security risk to Australia’s networks and sensitive data. While some state agencies may apply for exemptions, they will only be granted for specific national security or regulatory functions.

 

Australia now joins its Five Eyes intelligence allies—the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada—in restricting Kaspersky’s software over security concerns.

 

Kaspersky’s Response

Kaspersky criticised the ban, stating that the decision was made without warning or engagement and was not based on technical assessments. The company argued that the move was politically motivated and expressed willingness to cooperate with Australian authorities to reconsider the decision.

 

Despite the ban on government use, Kaspersky confirmed that it will continue to serve its other Australian customers.

 

Growing Global Restrictions

Earlier this month, Australia also banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from government devices over national security risks.

The U.S. fully banned Kaspersky software in June 2024, citing threats to critical infrastructure and data privacy. Shortly after, the company shut down its U.S. operations, and a dozen Kaspersky executives were sanctioned.
Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have also taken steps to limit or phase out Kaspersky’s use in government systems, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What’s Next?

As geopolitical tensions continue, more governments may follow suit in restricting foreign cybersecurity firms from critical infrastructure and official networks.