Kaspersky Lab Asks for Evidence of Firm's Alleged Collusion With Russian Gov't

The Kremlin and Russia's Kaspersky Lab, a software maker known for its anti-virus programs, have dismissed US media reports that the company stole sensitive data from a National Security Agency (NSA) contractor using its tools on behalf of the Russian government, saying the allegations lack evidence.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Kaspersky Lab is denying media reports that the company's anti-virus software was used to look for secret documents in the United States and is asking for evidence of such claims, a company spokesperson told Sputnik on Thursday.

"Kaspersky Lab has nothing to do with the situation described in The New York Times or other media outlets and has no information about it. We reconfirm our readiness to work together with the US authorities to answer any questions about the company’s products, as well as internal procedures," the company’s spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, the company has not received any evidence of the allegations.

"This is absurd information, the [Russian] state has had nothing to do with such activities. All such accusations are groundless and unsubstantiated," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that hackers allegedly working for the Russian government had accessed highly classified materials through the NSA contractor's use of antivirus software made by Kaspersky Lab and stole the information. The New York Times reported later that the Israeli intelligence had hacked into the Kaspersky network and warned the United States of Russia’s alleged hacking.