March 18, 2022

Italy is working on a policy that will curb the use of Russian anti-virus software in the public sector.

According to Franco Gabrielli, Italy’s undersecretary for security, the rules which are in progress will allow state bodies to stop using software developed by the Russia-based Kaspersky Lab.

A government source also confirmed that the rules would let public administrations replace all software regarded as being dangerous with facing any penalty.

The move from the Italian government is triggered by the assumption that Russia could hijack the programs to hack key websites.

Kaspersky however expressed its dissatisfaction with the decision. The company believes the decision was based on geopolitics and not technical issues.

The company further warned that such a policy could hurt its employees in Italy.

“We hope that this attitude will not lead to the implementation of illiberal legislation that would primarily affect our Italian partners, families, and citizens,” Kaspersky said.

For more information, read the original story in Reuters.