Kaspersky shutting down UK office, laying off thousands of employees

Kaspersky, the well-known Russian cybersecurity company, has announced that it will be closing its United Kingdom office and laying off its staff, following a similar move in the United States. The company stated that the decision is part of a strategic shift in its business approach in the U.K., where it will now focus more on working with partners rather than maintaining a direct presence.
Francesco Tius, a spokesperson for Kaspersky, confirmed the news in an email to TechCrunch. He mentioned that the company will begin the “wind-down” of its U.K. office, reorienting its business to better utilize the partner channel in the country. He emphasized that Kaspersky customers in the U.K. will still have full access to the company’s European team and its network of partners, ensuring that Kaspersky’s cybersecurity products and services will continue to be available in the region.
According to Tius, the London office has fewer than 50 employees, all of whom will be affected by this closure.
This move is the latest in a series of setbacks for Kaspersky, which has been the subject of controversy for several years due to alleged connections with the Russian government, accusations that the company has repeatedly denied. In June, the U.S. government banned Kaspersky from selling its products in the U.S., which forced the company to exit the American market.
As a result of the U.S. ban, Kaspersky shut down its U.S. offices and laid off employees there. The company also transitioned its American customer base to a new antivirus company called UltraAV. In some cases, Kaspersky’s software was automatically uninstalled from users’ devices and replaced by UltraAV without the users’ direct consent, leading to surprise and confusion among some customers.
Despite these challenges, Kaspersky remains committed to serving its customers in Europe and the U.K. through its partner networks. However, the closure of its U.K. office signals the company’s efforts to streamline operations and respond to the growing difficulties it faces in several major markets.
The layoffs in the U.K. and U.S. come as Kaspersky navigates the geopolitical and business challenges it faces due to its Russian origins. While Kaspersky continues to deny any improper links to the Russian government, its business has been significantly affected by these accusations and subsequent government actions.