October 31, 2023 at 11:13AM
Canada has banned the use of Kaspersky security products and Tencent’s WeChat app on mobile devices used by government employees due to network and national security concerns. The ban will take effect on October 30, 2023, and the government has stated that there is no evidence of government information being compromised. Kaspersky believes that the decision is politically motivated and not based on factual evidence. This follows similar bans and warnings from the US, Germany, Italy, and the UK regarding Kaspersky products.
Summary:
Canada has announced a ban on the use of Kaspersky security products and Tencent’s WeChat app on government-issued mobile devices due to concerns about network and national security. The ban will take effect from October 30, 2023, and blocks will be installed to prevent re-downloading of the apps. The Canadian government has cited the risk of covert data siphoning as a reason for the ban, although there is currently no evidence of government information being compromised. Kaspersky has criticized the decision, claiming it is based on political rather than technical grounds. Other countries, such as the United States, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, have previously issued warnings or restrictions on the use of Kaspersky products. The Canadian government recommends referring to guidance from the Canadian Cyber Centre for app choices for the general public.