Prohibiting EA for Kaspersky
The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau confirm that equipment integrating Kaspersky cybersecurity or anti-virus software is prohibited from obtaining FCC equipment authorization.
What it does This Public Notice explains the effect of adding Kaspersky cybersecurity and anti-virus software to the FCC Covered List. It states that equipment integrating software produced or provided by Kaspersky, or any successor or assignee, is “covered” equipment under the Commission’s equipment-authorization rules and therefore cannot receive authorization. PSHSB also updates the Covered List’s wording to expressly include equipment with integrated Kaspersky software and reproduces the full updated list in an appendix.
Who it affects The prohibition applies to manufacturers, suppliers, and other parties seeking FCC authorization for equipment that integrates Kaspersky cybersecurity or anti-virus software. The notice also identifies Kaspersky and its successors or assignees, while noting the relationship to the Commerce Department’s ICTS determination concerning Kaspersky products, services, and third-party integrations.
Why it matters The notice connects the FCC’s equipment-authorization consequence to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act and to Commerce’s June 2024 finding that Kaspersky transactions pose undue and unacceptable national-security and U.S.-person security risks. It also documents the Covered List’s expanded scope beyond standalone software to integrated hardware.
Key dates and numbers
- September 3, 2024: Notice released and Covered List updated.
- July 23, 2024: Kaspersky software was added to the Covered List.
- June 24, 2024: Commerce issued its Kaspersky Final Determination, Case No. ICTS-2021-002, published at 89 Fed. Reg. 52434.
- 47 C.F.R. § 2.903: FCC equipment-authorization provision cited by the notice.
- DA 24-886; WC Docket No. 18-89; ET Docket No. 21-232; EA Docket No. 21-233.