Marks and Spencer bank block access to their site because I use Kaspersky

[Allan A]

I'm using Kaspersky Premium version 21.20.8.1505 on a Windows 10 PC and on an Android 12 phone. I use the Marks and Spencer (a well known British retailer with it's own bank) app to access my M&S credit card. Since the US Government's ban on the use of Kaspersky, Google has removed Kaspersky from its Play Store. I now get a message from M&S whenever I try to open the M&S app telling me I cannot access the app because I have an application (Kaspersky) on my phone which has not come from an official app store. To get round this the message suggests I delete Kaspersky and reload it from an official app store, which is, of course, impossible. I cannot be the only person to come across this - any suggestions?

[Flood and Flood's wife]

6 minutes ago, Allan A said:

I'm using Kaspersky Premium version 21.20.8.1505 on a Windows 10 PC and on an Android 12 phone. I use the Marks and Spencer (a well known British retailer with it's own bank) app to access my M&S credit card. Since the US Government's ban on the use of Kaspersky, Google has removed Kaspersky from its Play Store. I now get a message from M&S whenever I try to open the M&S app telling me I cannot access the app because I have an application (Kaspersky) on my phone which has not come from an official app store. To get round this the message suggests I delete Kaspersky and reload it from an official app store, which is, of course, impossible. I cannot be the only person to come across this - any suggestions?

Hello @Allan A, 

Welcome!

(For Android) -> Kaspersky is available in alternative stores: Samsung, Huawei, Vivo & via APK - please read: How to download Kaspersky apps on Android and iOS. 

*However*, reading thru the information provided, we'd also recommend contacting M&S & explaining to them (you) are using an authorised Kaspersky app, from a *different* source - M&S may need to change something on their side?  

IF the issues persist please post back? 

Thank you?
Flood?+?

Edited February 18 by Flood and Flood's wife
(For Android)

[southernman]

I've just this week had a similar issue. I switched phones and reloaded ALL my apps to my new phone from Samsung Cloud, as I've done for the past three phones. Kaspersky is the only app that M&S have flagged. They've suggested I uninstall and reload from either Google Play or Galaxy Store. I can't get to speak with anybody in M&S who understands technology. I won't comply with their suggestion. I'll close my M&S account. I've had no issues with other banks.

[southernman]

32 minutes ago, southernman said:

I've just this week had a similar issue. I switched phones and reloaded ALL my apps to my new phone from Samsung Cloud, as I've done for the past three phones. Kaspersky is the only app that M&S have flagged. They've suggested I uninstall and reload from either Google Play or Galaxy Store. I can't get to speak with anybody in M&S who understands technology. I won't comply with their suggestion. I'll close my M&S account. I've had no issues with other banks.

Poor wording: all my Samsung apps + Kaspersky were reloaded from Samsung Cloud. Others were reloaded via Google.

[Flood and Flood's wife]

12 hours ago, southernman said:

I've just this week had a similar issue. I switched phones and reloaded ALL my apps to my new phone from Samsung Cloud, as I've done for the past three phones.

Kaspersky is the only app that M&S have flagged.

1. They've suggested I uninstall and reload from either Google Play or Galaxy Store. I can't get to speak with anybody in M&S who understands technology. I won't comply with their suggestion. I'll close my M&S account. I've had no issues with other banks.

12 hours ago, southernman said:

Poor wording: all my Samsung apps + Kaspersky were reloaded from Samsung Cloud. Others were reloaded via Google.

Hello @southernman, 

Welcome!

1. (for *our* understanding & clarity), is OR does (your) Samsung Cloud have a Kaspersky version, that's *previously* been distributed via Google Play Store (GPS) & OR *not* been distributed via Galaxy Store?
2. (for *our* understanding & clarity) - the *They've* is M&S, is that correct? IF the answer is 'yes' & IF (you) are still communicating with M&S in any capacity

(A) Tell M&S -> it's impossible to install from Google Play Store *globally*, i.e. in any region, anywhere in the world -> no Kaspersky AV apps have been available via GPS since the end of September, 2024 -> no discussion, no tech-head needs to understand anything, it's black & white, end of story. 

(B) Kaspersky *can* be loaded from Galaxy Store. Read: How to download Kaspersky apps on Android and iOS, Kaspersky for Android / Kaspersky for iOS:   see image at the end of this post

(C) What happens when Kaspersky is installed from Galaxy Store, does M&S *still* flag it? IF (you) haven't done this & IF (you) wish to, please do the following:

1. Fully uninstall the *existing* Kaspersky version
2. Power OFF the phone for at least 3minutes; power ON the phone, login
3. Download & install VPN & Antivirus by Kaspersky from Galaxy Store
4. When Kaspersky is fully installed & *all permissions have been granted*, sign-into the app, so it synchronises with (your) MyKaspersky account & picks-up the License/subscription: read: Kaspersky for Android, Installing and uninstalling the app
5. *REMOVE* or change whichever *old* Kaspersky app is in  Samsung Cloud so (your) phone does not somehow revert to using *old* Kaspersky apps, stored in (your) Samsung Cloud 

                                                                                                                                                   

Please share the outcome, with the Community, when it's available?

Thank you🙏
Flood🐳+🐋

Edited 11 hours ago by Flood and Flood's wife
pn (C), added Kaspersky for Android, Installing and uninstalling the app

[southernman]

15 hours ago, Flood and Flood's wife said:

Hello @southernman, 

Welcome!

1. (for *our* understanding & clarity), is OR does (your) Samsung Cloud have a Kaspersky version, that's *previously* been distributed via Google Play Store (GPS) & OR *not* been distributed via Galaxy Store?
2. (for *our* understanding & clarity) - the *They've* is M&S, is that correct? IF the answer is 'yes' & IF (you) are still communicating with M&S in any capacity

(A) Tell M&S -> it's impossible to install from Google Play Store *globally*, i.e. in any region, anywhere in the world -> no Kaspersky AV apps have been available via GPS since the end of September, 2024 -> no discussion, no tech-head needs to understand anything, it's black & white, end of story. 

(B) Kaspersky *can* be loaded from Galaxy Store. Read: How to download Kaspersky apps on Android and iOS, Kaspersky for Android / Kaspersky for iOS:   see image at the end of this post

(C) What happens when Kaspersky is installed from Galaxy Store, does M&S *still* flag it? IF (you) haven't done this & IF (you) wish to, please do the following:

1. Fully uninstall the *existing* Kaspersky version
2. Power OFF the phone for at least 3minutes; power ON the phone, login
3. Download & install VPN & Antivirus by Kaspersky from Galaxy Store
4. When Kaspersky is fully installed & *all permissions have been granted*, sign-into the app, so it synchronises with (your) MyKaspersky account & picks-up the License/subscription: read: Kaspersky for Android, Installing and uninstalling the app
5. *REMOVE* or change whichever *old* Kaspersky app is in  Samsung Cloud so (your) phone does not somehow revert to using *old* Kaspersky apps, stored in (your) Samsung Cloud 

                                                                                                                                                   

Please share the outcome, with the Community, when it's available?

Thank you🙏
Flood🐳+🐋

Thanks for a fast and very comprehensive response. I'll try to do it justice.

1. I loaded a version of Kaspersky from GPS on a previous phone. Following the removal of Kaspersky's availability from Google it was updated via Galaxy Store. I backed it up, together with other apps, to Samsung Cloud and transferred it to a new phone last week. I tested the M&S app on my new phone and, initially, it worked fine. Then a day later I got the 'app disabled' message.

2. Yes, the 'they've' refers to M&S. I called the only contact number they provide and spoke to a script-driven agent who was no help. They couldn't put me in touch with a technologist. The stock response is 'Use the app': I wish i could. I shall try to find an alternative contact but I've no problem with just cancelling my account with M&S.

A. & B. To be fair, the M&S message suggests Galaxy Store as an optional source for Kaspersky, but I'd contend that, as the Kaspersky app has previously been updated via Galaxy Store, it's effectively been loaded from there. In any event, transferring apps via a recognised and secure cloud service is a tried and trusted method of loading apps en masse to a new phone. It's the same app I was using on the previous phone and the M&S app was happy with it.

C. Thanks for the guidance. I have done this before (removed and reloaded Kaspersky) but some years ago. Happily it's not a frequent occurrence. However, I regard it as unnecessary in this instance and that M&S are just being intransigent. My Kaspersky licence is for three devices. That needn't be an issue but I don't want to risk making it one.

Thanks for your help and support.

Southernman