Archive · 19 Jul 2026
US Allows TikTok on Government Devices
The US government has changed its rules and now allows federal employees to download TikTok on their work devices.
Before this, there was a ban because of concerns about national security.
The change happened because TikTok's owner, ByteDance, made a deal to give control of US user data and operations to a new company called TikTok USDS.
This new company is mostly owned by American investors and uses US-based technology to keep the data safe.
About 200 million Americans use TikTok, and the government now says the app is safe to use on work devices, as long as agencies follow their own rules.
US federal employees can now download TikTok on government devices.
A 2022 ban was lifted due to a deal transferring US user data and operations to TikTok USDS.
TikTok USDS is a joint venture with American investors holding 80.1% and ByteDance 19.9%.
The app's algorithm and data are secured in Oracle's US cloud.
The change follows a Supreme Court decision upholding a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets or face a ban.
- Who
- US federal employees
- What
- Allowed to download TikTok on government devices
- When
- Effective immediately after Justice Department opinion
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Due to a deal transferring US user data and operations to a US-based joint venture
- App
- TikTok
- Owner
- ByteDance
- US Venture
- TikTok USDS
- US Users
- 200 million
- Data Control
- Oracle's U.S. cloud
- Investment Split
- 80.1% American, 19.9% ByteDance
- Previous Ban
- 2022 law
- Current Status
- Allowed with agency discretion
