Russian Intelligence Never Asked Kaspersky Lab to Spy on Foreign Nationals - CEO

The head of Kaspersky Lab refuted the cyber-espionage allegations saying that the company has never been involved in spying for the Russian intelligence, Reuters reported on Thursday. He also added that he would move Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab out of the country if he ever received such a demand.

CEO Eugene Kaspersky stated that his company is under attack by the US media and the US government which are spreading lies about the Russian cyber-security giant, acknowledging that these attacks will do harm to the firm.

Due to the misleading media coverage, Kaspersky Lab's revenues in the US will be about 5 to 8 percent lower this year, according to the CEO.

READ MORE: Kaspersky Lab on NSA's Stolen Data: User Disabled the Antivirus on His Computer

However, he noted that income in the rest of the world will see double-digit growth, except Europe where it is expected to stagnate.

The Wall Street Journal reported in early October that in 2015 Russian hackers had stolen classified data from an NSA contractor's personal computer using Kaspersky software. In September, the US Homeland Security Department ordered state agencies and departments to remove Kaspersky products, citing security risks. The firm has repeatedly denied working for any government, calling such claims groundless and paranoiac.

Later the UK government banned federal agencies from using cybersecurity software made by Russian company as well, citing suspicions that Barclays customers, who got a free subscription to Kaspersky Lab, may have been targeted by the firm's alleged spying program.