The Kremlin has strongly criticised the White House’s decision to ban the sale of Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software, characterising it as a deliberate attempt to stifle foreign competition in favour of American products.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, responded to the ban on Friday, describing Kaspersky as a "very competitive" company in international markets. He accused Washington of resorting to its "favourite technique of unfair competition" to restrict Kaspersky's sales in the United States.

The ban, announced on Thursday by US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo, cited security concerns and alleged Kremlin influence over the company. Raimondo claimed that Russia has demonstrated both the capacity and intent to exploit companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponise Americans' personal information.

However, the Russian government has dismissed these allegations, framing the decision as a protectionist move rather than a legitimate security measure. Peskov's comments suggest that Moscow views the ban as part of a broader pattern of American efforts to disadvantage foreign competitors in the tech sector.

Kaspersky, for its part, has vehemently denied any improper ties to the Russian government. The company insists it is privately managed and poses no threat to US national security. In a statement, Kaspersky expressed its belief that the US decision was not based on a comprehensive evaluation of its products and services.

The cybersecurity firm has announced its intention to pursue legal options to preserve its operations in the United States, signalling a potential legal battle over the ban.

This latest development comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Russia, with cybersecurity increasingly becoming a point of contention. The Kremlin's forceful response highlights the potential for this decision to further strain US-Russia relations, possibly leading to retaliatory measures from Moscow in the tech sector.

---