Russia bans cybersecurity company Recorded Future

Russia banned the cybersecurity company Recorded Future on Wednesday, labeling it an “undesirable” organization — much to its CEO’s delight.

The company stands accused of collaborating with the Central Intelligence Agency, Ukraine and other countries. 

“They provide information and technical support for the propaganda campaign launched by the West against Russia,” Russia’s Office of Prosecutor General said in a notice translated by Google. “The organization participates in collecting and analyzing data on the actions of the Russian Armed Forces.”

It also “provides Ukrainian specialists with free access to programs used to prepare and conduct offensive information operations against Russia,” the notice said.

Christopher Ahlberg, CEO of Recorded Future, cheered the designation. “Some things in life are rare compliments,” he said on X. “This being one.”

Among a long list of issues, Russia and the United States have hassled its adversaries’ cybersecurity and tech firms for much of the past decade. Earlier this year, the U.S. Commerce Department banned the Russian-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs from selling its software to U.S. consumers. The company ceased its U.S. operations in July. Numerous U.S. tech firms also stopped conducting business in Russia after the start of the country’s Ukrainian invasion. 

Russia enacted its undesirable organizations law in 2015. It subjects organizations deemed undesirable to potential shutdown, fines and prison sentences, as well as penalties for those affiliated with them or who maintain ties to them.

It has given around 200 organizations the label.

It updated the law this year, allowing the designation to apply to any foreign entity as opposed to just non-governmental organizations. 

Recorded Future appears to be the first information security firm to receive the “undesirable” marker.
Mastercard purchased Recorded Future earlier this year for $2.65 billion.