Federal employees can once again use TikTok on their government-issued devices, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum released July 17 [1]. On Aug. 10, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum to heads of executive departments and agencies stating that “TikTok may be used on government devices,” according to The Epoch Times [2].
The Epoch Times reached out to TikTok for comment; the company had not responded as of publication [2].
The app was banned in 2022 over national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance [2]. The U.S. version of the app is operated by the TikTok U.S. Data Security Joint Venture, whose majority ownership consists of American investors, according to the DOJ [2].
The DOJ determined that the version of TikTok currently available in the United States no longer falls within the prohibited category of applications under federal law [1].
Timeline of the Federal TikTok Restrictions
In 2022, Congress passed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which banned the app from government devices over national security concerns, according to NTD [1].
In 2024, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, making it illegal for any entity to distribute, maintain, or update any foreign-adversary-controlled application. President Donald Trump postponed implementation on his first day in office and has since again delayed it, according to the report [3].
President Joe Biden signed the 2024 bill, which included a forced-sale provision for TikTok unless ByteDance divested the platform by January 19, 2025, according to NaturalNews.com [4].
Some media reports during the legislative debate said the national security rationale received more attention than the measure’s backers. The Trends Journal reported that “What was not much discussed in the media in the lead-up to the vote, which claimed the site was a ‘national security threat,’ was who was pushing for the bill [5].”
The Trends Journal also reported that the Anti-Defamation League identified TikTok as “the worst offender” among apps related to antisemitism, though it noted antisemitism is not limited to the app [5].
The Department of Justice Cites Data Security Changes
The DOJ said the TikTok U.S. Data Security Joint Venture functions independently of ByteDance, according to NTD [1]. A report from TechCrunch revealed that the joint venture is backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with Oracle serving as security partner [6].
The deal creating the U.S. joint venture was reached in January, according to Just the News [7].
The DOJ wrote that “These safeguards would appear to make TikTok USDS just as data-secure as any other social networking service, if not more so,” and that “as a matter of statutory interpretation, the version of TikTok currently available for download in the United States [no longer falls] within that prohibited category of applications” [3].
Agencies Given Discretion; Several Adopt TikTok
The OMB memorandum instructed that Executive Branch employees may download TikTok onto official devices “subject to the agency’s discretion and consistent with all applicable workplace policies,” the DOJ said [3].
The White House announced that most of the Trump administration’s Cabinet members opened accounts on TikTok, according to LifeSiteNews [8].
In April, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani lifted a three-year-old ban on TikTok on city government devices, reversing an executive order by former Mayor Eric Adams, according to Just the News [9].
Remaining Bans on TikTok in Congress and States
TikTok remains subject to restrictions in parts of government. As of February 2024, the app was banned from federal devices and government-issued phones in 34 states, according to NaturalNews [10].
The Aug. 10 memorandum applies to Executive Branch devices, according to The Epoch Times [2].
During earlier legislative efforts, critics said bills to ban TikTok would grant the executive branch sweeping censorship powers, including the ability to target other platforms and hosting services, according to Children’s Health Defense [11]. The American Civil Liberties Union urged Congress not to ban the app, arguing that a prohibition would infringe on Americans’ First Amendment rights, according to NaturalNews [12].
Policy Impact
The reversal permits, but does not require, Executive Branch agencies to allow TikTok on government devices. Several Cabinet departments have already opened TikTok accounts, according to LifeSiteNews [8].
The DOJ’s legal conclusion was based on the ownership and data-security changes adopted by the TikTok U.S. Data Security Joint Venture, according to reports [7].
While the federal reversal took effect in August, restrictions on the app remain in place in numerous states, according to earlier reporting [10].
References
- NTD. “Government Employees Can Use TikTok on Their Devices Again, DOJ Says”. July 18, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “White House Ends TikTok Ban on Government Devices”. August 11, 2026.
- ZeroHedge. “White House Ends TikTok Ban On Government Devices”. August 13, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. “Hypocrisy Biden cheers ban on TikTok while he uses influencers to boost his sagging campaign”. May 2, 2024.
- “Trends-Journal-2024-03-12”. Trends Journal. March 12, 2024.
- TechCrunch. “Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again”. July 18, 2026.
- Just The News. “DOJ says it is no longer illegal for federal workers to download TikTok on government devices”. July 18, 2026.
- LifeSiteNews. “Trump admin touts new TikTok accounts despite China election meddling allegations”. July 23, 2026.
- Just The News. “Mamdani lifts 3-year-old ban on having TikTok on NYC government devices”. April 2, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. “Biden joins TikTok despite national security concerns”. February 13, 2024.
- Children’s Health Defense. “Patriot Act on Steroids Bill to Ban TikTok Co”.
- NaturalNews.com. “Left-wing ACLU urging Congress not to ban China-linked spyware app TikTok”. March 8, 2023.
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