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.
This support page provides more information on how to install and activate Kaspersky's software on Android devices.
This comes after Kaspersky told BleepingComputer in July that it would shut down its United States operations after the U.S. government sanctioned the company and 12 executives and banned Kaspersky antivirus software over national security concerns in June.
In a statement earlier today, Google confirmed this prompted the decision to block Kaspersky and its products on the Google Play store.
"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.
In September, the Russian multinational cybersecurity company deleted its anti-malware software from customers' computers across the United States and replaced it with UltraAV's antivirus solution without informing its customers or asking for permission.
Update October 04, 13:23 EDT: Added Google statement.
Comments
Mahhn - 1 month ago
It's a shame that the best security tool is suffering because of the murderous ruler of the country it's from is. I hope putin finds his demise soon and KL can provide services to the states again. Goog however, the company that distributes more malware than any other single source on the web (play store) has no value, so whatever to them.
SleepyJoe - 1 month ago
You mean all because the US sent over Victoria Nuland to instigate a color revolution in Kiev. And now the western rules based order is falling apart. Russia+China will lead the next century in technology. China is on the Far side of the moon while America is bankrupting itself funding Israel and Kiev.
ThomasMann - 1 month ago
Do you actually believe, anyone writing a comment like Mahhn will understand a single sentence of your comment?
Just imagine what a beautiful country America could be, if it were not for the 90% morons that run around over there... That is a thought that always makes me smile...
Mahhn - 1 month ago
what's your point? people shouldn't seek a better life/government/trade, and just lay down to the greedy dictators?
If making the world a better place is so easy, why haven't you fixed it yet? I know it's not in my grasp, hell, frankly I don't think humans should continue, much to destructive a species. People like XI and Putin are the examples of the worst to humanity. There isn't anyone that can fix the human issue on this rock, less just clean it off. But take a shot at it if you want.
Elastoer - 1 month ago
Do you mean the 90% morons who blindly follow Trump, or the 90% morons who blindly hate Trump? To quote Forrest Gump, " Stupid is as stupid does".
ThomasMann - 1 month ago
As far as I know there are no 90% of americans who hate Trump.... but, the number of people who hate him maybe precisely the number of people who love Forrest Gump? The movie, that allowed every american idiot to feel good about himself... and went on to elect Georg W.