Shaheen Statement on Reports That Trump Administration Considering Government-Wide Ban on Kaspersky Lab Software

**This news follows the adoption of Sen. Shaheen’s amendment that would block the use of Kaspersky Lab software at the Department of Defense** 

(Washington, DC)—Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, delivered the following statement on reports that the Trump administration is considering blocking all federal agencies from using products developed by Kaspersky Lab. This news follows the adoption of Senator Shaheen’s amendment to the Senate’s defense authorization bill that blocks the use of Kaspersky Lab software at the Department of Defense and in networks connected to the agency.

“I’m encouraged that the Trump administration is considering delisting Kaspersky software for use in the federal government,” said Shaheen. “This ban would be a wise precaution, and I hope the administration will follow through and implement this new policy. As Russia continues to exploit weaknesses in our nation’s technology, Congress and the Trump administration must work hand-in-hand to protect the integrity of our nation’s critical computer infrastructure. A ban on future Kaspersky contracts would work in concert with my amendment, which prohibits use of Kaspersky software under current and future contracts at the Department of Defense, as well as associated networks. I hope this bipartisan measure will soon be on the President’s desk.”