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TikTok is no longer banned on US government devices
The US Department of Justice has confirmed that federal employees may now download and use TikTok on government-issued devices, reversing a ban imposed in 2022 over national security concerns. The original prohibition stemmed from fears, voiced by then-FBI director Chris Wray, that China could exploit TikTok's ties to parent company ByteDance to harvest data on American users. The DOJ says the app's current ownership structure removes those risks, though individual agencies can still choose to restrict its use for other reasons, such as staff productivity.
The shift follows a deal finalised in January this year that created a new entity, the TikTok US Data Security Joint Venture, to run the app's American operations. ByteDance retains just under a 20% stake, with the remainder held by non-Chinese investors including Oracle, whose secure US cloud infrastructure now underpins the platform's data handling. The DOJ said this new venture operates independently of ByteDance and has revised the algorithm and cybersecurity systems that originally prompted the ban, though TikTok has said US users will still receive international content.
In short
- DOJ lifts 2022 ban on TikTok for US government devices
- New US-controlled joint venture replaces ByteDance oversight
- Individual agencies can still impose their own restrictions
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The structural separation effectively addresses the core security concern: ByteDance no longer controls the platform, non-Chinese investors hold majority ownership, and Oracle's US-based infrastructure now handles all user data. The Department of Justice, responsible for national security, has endorsed this arrangement, with individual agencies retaining discretion to impose stricter rules if circumstances warrant.
The case against
ByteDance's retained 20% stake preserves significant financial interest and potential for Chinese government pressure, and structural safeguards against state surveillance are historically difficult to verify independently. The platform's opacity regarding algorithms and data practices offers little assurance that operational reforms are genuine, particularly given that international content delivery enables influence campaigns regardless of how securely data is stored.
Explained simply
In 2022, the US federal government banned TikTok from government-issued devices over national security concerns. Officials worried that China could use the app's connection to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to gain access to sensitive information about American users and government employees. This reflected broader concerns about how data is collected and used by Chinese-owned technology companies.
The ban has now been reversed following a restructuring deal completed in January 2026. A new company called the TikTok US Data Security Joint Venture now runs the app's American operations, with ByteDance owning just under 20% and other investors, including the technology company Oracle, owning the rest. The Department of Justice said this new ownership structure addresses the national security concerns that prompted the original ban, though individual government agencies can still restrict the app if they choose.
The reversal comes as US officials reassess the security risks posed by the platform. Data privacy and technology regulation remain significant issues between the United States and China, with officials on both sides concerned about how companies handle personal information.
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