Kaspersky under scrutiny after Bloomberg story claims close links to FSB

Shortly after Bloomberg Businessweek published an explosive story under the headline: "Kaspersky Lab Has Been Working With Russian Intelligence," the security firm released a lengthy statement noting that the company does not have "inappropriate ties with any government."

The article, which was published in the early morning hours on Tuesday, says that the Moscow-based firm "has maintained a much closer working relationship with Russia's main intelligence agency, the FSB, than it has publicly admitted. It has developed security technology at the spy agency's behest and worked on joint projects the CEO knew would be embarrassing if made public." Media organization McClatchy made seemingly similar claims in a July 3 report.

In the same statement, Kaspersky responded further: "It's important to be clear: the company never received a request from the Russian government or any affiliated organization to create or participate in ANY secret projects, including one for anti-DDoS protection."

Hours later on Tuesday, ABC News reported that the White House may strip Kaspersky of its approval on the General Services Administration's list of companies that can do business with the US government.

Sen. Jeanne Sheheen (D-N.H.) said in a statement that she was "encouraged" by the possible move as a "wise precaution."

However, on Twitter, Aleks Gostev, Chief Security Expert at Kaspersky, derided Sheheen's statement and compared it to the senator's previous change of opinion on the Iraq War over a decade ago.

Let's invade to Iraq! We have intel! They have WMD! Oh, wait, I was wrong. Let's ban Kaspersky!

— codelancer (@codelancer) July 11, 2017

CEO Eugene Kaspersky himself slammed the Bloomberg report.

PhD for 'banya journalism' goes to Bloomberg. Numerous allegations, misinterpretations & fakes. This story is BS brewed on political agenda

— Eugene Kaspersky (@e_kaspersky) July 11, 2017

The Bloomberg report also comes just weeks after Reuters reported that the FBI had visited the homes of multiple Kaspersky employees in the United States. The company has been under scrutiny by American lawmakers for months, notably as part of the most recent proposed National Defense Authorization Act.

UPDATE 8:03pm ET: Reuters reports that the Trump administration has removed Kaspersky from the GSA-approved list.