Google took down Kaspersky’s Android security apps from the Google Play store and disabled the company’s developer accounts, following U.S. government sanctions against the Russian cybersecurity giant.
Users across the U.S. and other regions have reported that Kaspersky’s security apps, including Kaspersky Endpoint Security and VPN & Antivirus by Kaspersky, have vanished from the Google Play store. The removal follows a series of actions by the U.S. government, which raised national security concerns about Kaspersky’s operations.
Kaspersky Responds
Kaspersky confirmed the issue on Sunday through its official forums, stating that it is actively investigating the situation. A Kaspersky representative explained that the company’s products are temporarily unavailable for download and updates on the Play Store, and they are working to resolve the issue.
“Kaspersky is exploring potential solutions to ensure that users can continue downloading and updating their apps,” the representative added.
In the meantime, Kaspersky has advised users to install its apps via alternative app stores such as the Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, and Xiaomi GetApps, or by downloading the .apk file directly from the company’s website.
U.S. Sanctions Behind Google’s Decision
Google’s action comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security imposed restrictions on Kaspersky in June. The U.S. government has raised concerns about the company’s ties to Russian authorities, leading to a ban on Kaspersky’s antivirus software and sanctions against its executives.
In response, a Google spokesperson confirmed that these restrictions were the reason behind the removal of Kaspersky’s apps from the Play Store: “Due to the sanctions announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, we have removed Kaspersky’s apps from Google Play.”
This incident also follows an earlier move by Kaspersky in September when it remotely replaced its anti-malware software on U.S. customers’ computers with UltraAV’s antivirus solution without prior notice or consent.
The ongoing tension between Kaspersky and the U.S. government continues to impact the company’s global operations, with further developments likely to follow as both sides seek resolutions.
