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Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again
Federal employees can now download TikTok on government phones after the DOJ determined a 2022 ban no longer applies. This decision follows a new deal transferring TikTok's U.S. operations to a joint venture with Oracle. Employees are allowed to download the app at agency discretion, as per a DOJ memo.
Key points
- In 2022, a law banned federal employees from using TikTok on government devices.
- A new DOJ memo states this ban is lifted due to a joint venture involving Oracle and others taking ownership of TikTok's U.S. operations.
- Oracle acts as the security partner; ByteDance retains a minority stake (19.9%).
- The memo specifies the download is permitted at agency discretion and must follow workplace policies.
- Despite the initial legal ban, access to TikTok had been inconsistent, influenced by political decisions.
Why it matters
- The lifting of TikTok's ban aligns with ongoing debates about data security and surveillance in technology.
- In 2025, IT trends show increased scrutiny of apps and their data handling regarding privacy, similar to the TikTok case.
- The shift may influence broader policies on digital governance and employee device management in the federal context.
The DOJ's recent ruling reflects changing attitudes towards TikTok, balancing security concerns with employee access, amid ongoing discussions about digital governance and data privacy in the evolving tech landscape.