The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that federal employees can once again download TikTok on their government-issued devices. The move reverses a ban that was introduced in 2022 over national security concerns.
According to reports, the policy change follows a new agreement that transfers TikTok’s U.S. operations to a joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Under the deal, Oracle will serve as the security partner, while TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, will keep a 19.9% stake in the business.
A DOJ memo reportedly states that President Donald Trump has authorized employees of Executive Branch agencies to install TikTok on their official devices. However, each federal agency can still decide whether to allow the app based on its own workplace policies and security requirements.
The original 2022 law prevented federal employees from using TikTok on government devices due to concerns about data security and potential access by foreign entities. The law later expanded into a broader U.S. ban, although the app briefly returned after President Trump delayed enforcement and encouraged service providers to restore access.
The latest decision marks a major shift in the U.S. government’s approach to TikTok. While federal employees may now be allowed to use the app on work devices, agencies will continue to evaluate potential security risks before approving access.
The policy could also influence future discussions about TikTok’s role in the United States as the company continues operating under its new ownership structure.
