4 companies from 3 countries banned in USA for spyware involvement
The U.S. Department of Commerce has blacklisted four companies of Israel, Russia and Singapore for their involvement in spyware activities ‘against the interests of US national security or foreign policy.’
The listed companies are NSO Group of Israel and Candiru, Russian cyber security firm Positive Technologies and Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE Limited of Singapore.
A spokesman for the US State Department said that although action had been taken against the companies, no action had been taken against those countries or governments.
"We don't know why the US Department of Commerce blacklisted us," Denis Baranov, Russia's director general of positive technologies, said in an emailed comment.
On the other hand, Positive Technologies said, "The new ban will not affect our business."
However, the Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE Limited of Singapore did not comment on this.
Earlier, the Israeli company NSO Group and Candiru were accused of selling hacking equipment to the authoritarian regime. The NSO, however, said it only sells its products to law enforcement and intelligence agencies and takes the necessary steps to prevent its misuse.
On the other hand, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Russia's Positive Technologies this year for aiding the Russian security services.
