Google removes Kaspersky's antivirus software from Play Store

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Over the weekend, Google removed Kaspersky's Android security apps from the Google Play store and disabled the Russian company's developer accounts.

Users have been reporting over the last week that Kaspersky's products (including Kaspersky Endpoint Security and VPN & Antivirus by Kaspersky) are no longer available on Google Play in the United States and other world regions.

Kaspersky confirmed the issue on the company's official forums on Sunday and said that it's currently investigating why its software is no longer available on Google's app store.

"The downloads and updates of Kaspersky products are temporarily unavailable on the Google Play store," a Kaspersky employee said.

"Kaspersky is currently investigating the circumstances behind the issue and exploring potential solutions to ensure that users of its products can continue downloading and updating their applications from Google Play."

While the apps are unavailable, Kaspersky advised users to install them from alternative app stores, including the Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, and Xiaomi GetApps. The company's security apps can also be installed by downloading the .apk installation file from Kaspersky's website.

"The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security recently announced a variety of restrictions on Kaspersky. As a result, we have removed Kaspersky’s apps from Google Play," a Google spokesperson told BleepingComputer.

Google removes Kaspersky's antivirus software from Play Store

Over the weekend, Google removed Kaspersky's Android security apps from the Google Play store and disabled the Russian company's developer accounts.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[Sandbox Breaker]

Google removes Kaspersky's antivirus software from Play Store

Over the weekend, Google removed Kaspersky's Android security apps from the Google Play store and disabled the Russian company's developer accounts.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

Oh wow and not just in the USA. Wonder how this might "Play" out

 

[Game Of Thrones]

This US thing is getting out of control. They are not banned outside of the US. Why does Google have the power to make them unavailable in any country?! It's a fundamental question. It's about having the power and abusing it. The US is getting addicted to forcing sanctions to many countries and is somehow getting out of control. there is no logic behind making them unavailable in any country! Do you want to ban it? ban it in US stores not everywhere!

 

[lokamoka820]

This US thing is getting out of control. They are not banned outside of the US. Why does Google have the power to make them unavailable in any country?! It's a fundamental question. It's about having the power and abusing it. The US is getting addicted to forcing sanctions to many countries and is somehow getting out of control. there is no logic behind making them unavailable in any country! Do you want to ban it? ban it in US stores not everywhere!

Maybe next we will see Windows treat Kaspersky as unwanted software or harmful in the future.

 

[omidomi]

Thery should remember those days that they do any things for makeing USA Governments happy(following US sanctions against middle east people) !
same as removed their middle east reseller because they sell license to Afghanistan,Iran peoples ....now they claimed prized from USA Governments
GOOD JOB GOOGLE

 

[TairikuOkami]

Why does Google have the power to make them unavailable in any country?!

It is not easy to restrict it per country. If someone would download it from google play, regardless of the method, google could be held liable. You can easily install it via apk, it is not banned, yet.

 

[Viking]

I updated my Kaspersky & Kaspersky Password Manager via the Samsung Galaxy store yesterday.

 

[zidong]

This US thing is getting out of control. They are not banned outside of the US. Why does Google have the power to make them unavailable in any country?! It's a fundamental question. It's about having the power and abusing it. The US is getting addicted to forcing sanctions to many countries and is somehow getting out of control. there is no logic behind making them unavailable in any country! Do you want to ban it? ban it in US stores not everywhere!

Do you think that everyone is wrong except kaspersky?

• Canada (October 2023) banned(new window) Kaspersky from government mobile devices.
• Romania (December 2022) banned(new window) Kaspersky and other Russian security solutions from public institutions and private IT institutions with classified information.
• Italy (March 2022) restricted(new window) the use of Russian antivirus software in the public sector.
• Germany (March 2022) issued(new window) a warning against using Kaspersky software and advised users to switch to alternative cybersecurity solutions.
• Netherlands (May 2018) announced(new window) plans to phase out Kaspersky software from government systems.
• UK (December 2017) banned(new window) Kaspersky from national security departments.
• Lithuania (December 2017) banned(new window) Kaspersky on sensitive computers in public and private companies.
• Source: Proton.me
  
  At the age of 16, Kaspersky entered a five-year program with The Technical Faculty of the KGB Higher School which prepared intelligence officers for the Russian military and KGB.
  Kaspersky is the only major antivirus company that routes its data through Russian Internet service providers, which are subject to Russia’s surveillance system.
  
  Russian Laws and Regulations: Implications for Kaspersky Labs
  
  According to Article 13, the FSB is entitled to:
  a. establish confidential relationship with individuals with their consent;
  b. conduct operational-search methods (defined in another law) to fight espionage, organized crime, corruption, illicit arms and drug smuggling and threats to Russia’s safety;
  c. penetrate foreign intelligence services, criminal groups, and organizations conducting espionage and other activities damaging Russia’s security.

 

[SpiderWeb]

Hmm usually Google will resort to just banning specific apps in the countries that they are banned in. But, the US government always becomes a bit paranoid around election time and tries to eliminate any potential form of foreign interference into elections so I'm not surprised about the timing and I wouldn't be surprised if it magically re-appears after November 5th.

Another explanation could also be that US threatens Google USA to be liable for hosting and handling payments for a banned product regardless of location which makes sense. Apple has already removed Kaspersky completely.

 

[Moonhorse]

Cant see kaspersky antivirus anymore on android store in finland, seems its gone...kinda sad from google

 

[Sandbox Breaker]

Maybe next we will see Windows treat Kaspersky as unwanted software or harmful in the future.

PUP.Kaspersky.win lol

 

[harlan4096]

Is Kaspersky blocked / removed from Google Play?

When I searched for Kaspersky's apps on Google Play today, I didn't see any of them appear, and only other brands' antivirus. So I used my PC to check if Kaspersky was removed from the App Store as well, but everything is fine on App Store. Google Play: App Store: I know there's another method th...

forum.kaspersky.com

 

[Oxygen]

Even with it being banned, what's the point of having it on mobile?

The same goes for the "VPN" which is just an upcharge for most AV companies to charge you more for features that you really don't need or try to be the inferior replacement for the options you already use.

 

[bazang]

But, the US government always becomes a bit paranoid around election time and tries to eliminate any potential form of foreign interference into elections so I'm not surprised about the timing and I wouldn't be surprised if it magically re-appears after November 5th.

Google removing Kaspersky from their app store was and is their own initiative. Not connected to elections in the US.

Kaspersky is the only major antivirus company that routes its data through Russian Internet service providers, which are subject to Russia’s surveillance system.

This is a significant part of Kaspersky being banned or dropped.

 

[Sorrento]

There are other AV/AM solutions available - As for paranoia our friends across the pond have displayed a degree of paranoia for many years - As for Google the less I interact with them the better, should have has their wings clipped some time ago

 

[SpiderWeb]

Google removing Kaspersky from their app store was and is their own initiative. Not connected to elections in the US.


This is a significant part of Kaspersky being banned or dropped.

Check this:

Justice Department Disrupts Russian Intelligence Spear-Phishing Efforts

The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of a warrant authorizing the seizure of 41 internet domains used by Russian intelligence agents and their proxies to commit computer fraud and abuse in the United States. As an example of the Department’s commitment to public-private...

www.justice.gov

It's very obviously a campaign to crack down on all organizations that the US government believes are linked to Russian intelligence.

 

[bazang]

Check this:

Justice Department Disrupts Russian Intelligence Spear-Phishing Efforts

The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of a warrant authorizing the seizure of 41 internet domains used by Russian intelligence agents and their proxies to commit computer fraud and abuse in the United States. As an example of the Department’s commitment to public-private...

www.justice.gov

It's very obviously a campaign to crack down on all organizations that the US government believes are linked to Russian intelligence.

That announcement by the US DOJ is unrelated to what Google has done or is doing. Plus it has nothing to do with Kaspersky. Google is doing its own thing, without any collusion or direct involvement of the U.S. government.

The article is about Russian criminal groups committing fraud. That is completely not related to Kaspersky. The only connection would be that the threat actors and Kaspersky's Russia-based employees, are well... both Russian. That is the only connection.

 

[harlan4096]

Kaspersky apps are no longer available on Google Play: what to do?

Kaspersky apps have been removed from Google Play: what does this mean for users, do the apps still work, and how to get and update them now.

www.kaspersky.com