Federal employees can download TikTok again after DOJ lifts security concerns
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has clarified that it is no longer ILLEGAL to download TikTok on federal government devices after the popular social media platform is now largely based in the U.S.
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WASHINGTON, DC: Federal employees can once again download TikTok on government devices after the Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded the app's American-controlled version no longer poses the national security risks that led to a yearslong ban.
The opinion reverses a restriction that had been in place since 2022. It follows ByteDance's divestiture of TikTok's US operations into a majority American-owned joint venture, prompting the DOJ to determine the earlier security concerns had been addressed.
DOJ reverses TikTok device ban
According to a memo from the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel, ByteDance transferred control of TikTok's US user data and operations to TikTok US Data Security (TikTok USDS), with the deal finalized in January, according to the Fox News report on Saturday, July 18.
It said that the opinion, addressed to the deputy counsel to President Donald Trump, concluded that the American-controlled version of the platform "poses no such risk."
"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.
The DOJ also dismissed concerns over ByteDance retaining a minority stake in the new venture.
"The fact that ByteDance Limited remains a minority shareholder in the joint venture operating TikTok USDS makes no practical difference," the opinion stated.
ByteDance ownership drops to minority stake
Under the restructuring agreement, American and global investors now own 80.1% of TikTok USDS, while ByteDance holds the remaining 19.9%.
The divestiture “followed a 2024 law passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden,” the report said.
The measure required ByteDance to give up control of TikTok's US operations, it said, or face the app being removed from US app stores and internet-hosting services.
TikTok challenged the law in court, arguing it violated the free speech rights of its tens of millions of users.
Supreme Court backed sell-or-ban law
On Jan 17, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld Congress' authority to impose the sell-or-ban requirement, citing "well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary."
Although the law was scheduled to take effect on Jan 19, 2025, President Donald Trump delayed enforcement after returning to office the following day, the report stated.
The source said Trump repeatedly extended the deadline to allow more time for investors interested in acquiring TikTok's US operations, the report added.
Oracle, Silver Lake and Emirati investment firm MGX ultimately emerged as the leading investors in the new venture.
TikTok USDS said in January that US user data would be stored in Oracle's secure cloud infrastructure and that TikTok's recommendation algorithm would be retrained using data from US users.
