US lifts TikTok ban on government devices, says app no longer poses security risk

The United States has reversed its ban on TikTok on federal government devices, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) stating that the app no longer presents the national security risks that led to its prohibition in 2022. The decision follows the completion of a restructuring deal under which TikTok's US operations and user data are now managed by TikTok USDS, a joint venture majority-owned by American and global investors, while ByteDance retains a minority stake.

In a legal opinion issued to President Donald Trump, the DOJ said the new ownership structure, along with enhanced data privacy and cybersecurity safeguards, sufficiently addresses earlier concerns over foreign access to US user data.

The department noted that federal agencies may now allow employees to install TikTok on official devices, subject to individual workplace policies and security requirements. Oracle's US cloud infrastructure is also being used to secure the platform's data and recommendation systems.

The move marks a major shift in US policy towards TikTok after years of national security concerns surrounding its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Officials said the revised arrangement provides adequate protections while allowing government agencies discretion over the app's use on official devices.