Federal employees can now download TikTok onto their government devices after a yearslong ban, according to a memo from the Department of Justice.This reversal comes after ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, transferred control of the app's U.S.user data and operations to TikTok U.S.
Data Security (TikTok USDS), a majority American-owned joint venture.The deal was finalized in January.A 2022 law banned federal workers from having TikTok on government devices due to national security concerns, but an opinion from the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel said the restructuring eliminated the risks that prompted the ban.The opinion, addressed to the deputy counsel to President Donald Trump, said the American-controlled version of TikTok "poses no such risk."The TikTok logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen on July 3, 2026.
(Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)TRUMP, BONDI SUED OVER TIKTOK DEAL THAT ALLEGEDLY 'SUBVERTED' CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY"We understand you have since instructed that employees of Executive Branch agencies may download TikTok onto their official devices, subject to the agency’s discretion and consistent with all applicable workplace policies," the opinion said.American and global investors own 80.1% of the new joint venture, while ByteDance owns 19.9%, according to the divestiture agreement."The fact that ByteDance Limited remains a minority shareholder in the joint venture operating TikTok USDS makes no practical difference," the DOJ said in the opinion.TikTok supporters are seen outside the U.S.Capitol on March 13, 2024, before the House passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
The bill was later signed by President Joe Biden, eventually prompting the sale of TikTok to an American-controlled joint venture.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)UK TO BAN TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA APPS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16, STARMER SAYSByteDance's divestiture from TikTok...