Federal Employees May Download TikTok on Government Devices Again After DOJ Memo
Federal employees in the Executive Branch may once again be allowed to download TikTok on official government devices, following new guidance from the Department of Justice, according to a Reuters report.
The change marks a major shift from the 2022 law that restricted federal workers from using TikTok on government-issued phones, tablets, and other devices. That ban was introduced over national security concerns tied to the app’s previous ownership structure and the handling of U.S. user data.
According to the reported DOJ memo, the earlier restriction no longer applies because TikTok’s U.S. operations have been moved into a new ownership arrangement. The deal places TikTok’s American business under a joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Oracle is serving as the security partner for the new structure, while ByteDance, TikTok’s former parent company, keeps a 19.9% stake.
The memo reportedly states that President Donald Trump has cleared employees of Executive Branch agencies to download TikTok on their official devices. However, the decision is not automatic across every agency. Each government department can still decide whether to allow the app based on its own workplace rules, cybersecurity requirements, and internal policies.
TikTok has been at the center of a long-running debate in Washington over data privacy, national security, and foreign ownership of technology platforms. The original government device ban was followed by broader efforts to restrict the app across the United States. When a wider ban took effect early last year, TikTok briefly became unavailable before access was restored after Trump delayed enforcement and encouraged service providers to bring the platform back online.
The latest DOJ guidance suggests that the federal government now views TikTok’s U.S. ownership and security framework differently than it did when the ban was first introduced. Still, agencies may continue to take a cautious approach, especially those handling sensitive information or operating in high-security environments.
For federal workers, the decision could mean TikTok is once again available as a communication, outreach, and social media tool on government devices, depending on agency approval. For TikTok, it represents another step toward restoring confidence in its U.S. operations after years of political and regulatory pressure.
