Google has quietly taken down all Kaspersky security applications from the Google Play store, citing the White House’s ban on the Russian antivirus provider.
Over the past week, users have reported that Kaspersky products, including Kaspersky Endpoint Security and VPN & Antivirus, are unavailable for purchase in the U.S. and various other countries.
Kaspersky took to its official forums this past Sunday to clarify the ongoing situation, stating that it is actively investigating the reasons behind the removal of its software from Google’s app store.
Google today confirmed it had removed the Kaspersky apps for US and international users, explaining: “The US’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.”
According to BleepingComputer reports, users started to notice the absence of Kaspersky products in the list last week, a few days before the ban in the United States. Kaspersky has since then revealed that Google also deactivated the developer account on the Google Play Store.
“Although these US restrictions have no material legal effect outside the US, Google unilaterally decided to remove our products from Google Play ahead of September 29, depriving worldwide users of access to Kaspersky solutions,” the antivirus provider tells PCMag.
In response, Kaspersky accuses Google of “overinterpreting” the US restrictions without specific guidance from federal officials.
“These restrictive measures do not prohibit the sale or distribution of Kaspersky products and services outside the country,” the company added. “Kaspersky has also communicated this understanding to the US Department of Commerce, and we hope to receive additional guidance from the Department shortly.”
In response, Kaspersky advised its overseas clients to download its Android antivirus programs from other app stores such as those of Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi. The apps are also downloadable from the company’s website. However, Kaspersky has removed its products for users in the United States in accordance with the White House ban.
