Twitter Bans Ads From Russia's Kaspersky Lab

Twitter has banned ads from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, possibly over US government concerns regarding its ties to the Russian government.

A Twitter spokesperson would say only that Kaspersky Lab "operates using a business model that inherently conflicts" with the Twitter platform's ad practices. It pointed to a US Department of Homeland Security notice from last September that effectively labeled Kaspersky Lab a national security threat and called on government offices to stop using its security software.

"The Department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence," the notice said. Under Russian law, the Kremlin can also compel Kaspersky Lab to help it spy on communications, the notice goes on to claim.

Twitter's decision isn't sitting well with Eugene Kaspersky, the CEO of the cybersecurity firm. On Friday, he complained in a tweet about the ad ban, and demanded that it explain.

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"If this is a mistake please openly admit this. This would quash any doubts about potential political censorship on Twitter," Eugene Kaspersky said.

Despite the ad ban, Twitter has said the Russian security firm can continue operating over the platform, but only as a user.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.