Kaspersky ready to get Source Code examined by US Govt

After being suspected by the FBI to be connected with Russian hackers, the chief executive of Russia's Kaspersky Lab says he's ready to have his company's source code examined by US government officials.

In an interview with The Associated Press at his Moscow headquarters, Eugene Kaspersky said that he's also ready to move part of his research work to the US to help counter rumours that he said were first started more than two decades ago out of professional jealousy.

"If the United States needs, we can disclose the source code," he said, adding that he was ready to testify before US lawmakers as well. "Anything I can do to prove that we don't behave maliciously I will do it."

Kaspersky, a mathematical engineer who attended a KGB-sponsored school and once worked for Russia's Ministry of Defense, has long been eyed suspiciously by some competitors, particularly as his antivirus products became popular in the US market. Some speculate that Kaspersky, an engaging speaker and a fixture of the conference circuit, kept his Soviet-era intelligence connections.

Others say it's unlikely that his company could operate independently in Russia, where the economy is dominated by state-owned companies and the power of spy agencies has expanded dramatically under President Vladimir Putin.

No firm evidence has ever been produced to back up the claims. But this has not stopped what was once gossip at tech conferences from escalating into public accusations from American politicians and intelligence officials amid rising concerns over Russian interference in the United States.

Senior US intelligence officials have suggested Congress steer well clear of Kaspersky's products and lawmakers are weighing a proposal to ban the company from the Pentagon. Law enforcement seems to be taking a hard look at the company as well. On Wednesday, NBC news reported that at least a dozen US employees of Kaspersky were visited at their homes by FBI agents.

Kaspersky confirmed the NBC report, although he said he didn't know what the focus of the FBI's questioning was. He did say his relationship with the FBI was now shot.