The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that federal employees are once again permitted to download TikTok on their government-issued devices. This development reverses a 2022 law that had previously prohibited the use of the short-form video app on federal work phones. According to Reuters, the DOJ stated the law is no longer applicable following a significant change in TikTok’s U.S. ownership structure.

Earlier this year, TikTok’s U.S. operations were transferred to a new joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Oracle now serves as the security partner for this venture, while the former owner ByteDance still holds a 19.9% stake. The DOJ’s memo explicitly notes that President Donald Trump has authorized “employees of Executive Branch agencies” to install TikTok on official devices, provided this is in line with agency policies and discretion.

The initial ban had targeted federal employees and restricted TikTok use on government devices, but there had also been broader efforts to block the app nationwide. Despite the formal ban taking effect in early 2025, TikTok’s service disruptions were short-lived because Trump repeatedly delayed enforcement and urged service providers to restore access to the app. This latest DOJ guidance effectively reinstates TikTok’s availability to federal workers under updated conditions.

This change reflects the evolving dynamics around national security concerns tied to TikTok and the app’s complex ownership in the U.S. The involvement of major American technology and investment firms in the joint venture is central to the federal government’s revised stance. Moving forward, agencies will handle TikTok access in accordance with their own workplace standards and security protocols.