DOJ Allows Federal Employees to Download TikTok on Government Devices
Quick Look
- The Department of Justice has reportedly informed federal employees that they can now download TikTok on government devices, reversing a 2022 ban.
- This change follows a deal transferring ownership of TikTok's U.S. operations to a joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A 2022 law had previously banned federal employees from using TikTok on government devices due to concerns over its ownership.
The Department of Justice says that federal employees can now download TikTok on their government devices, according to Reuters.
A 2022 law banned federal employees from using the short-form video app on those devices, but the DOJ reportedly says the law no longer applies, thanks to a deal transferring ownership of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. (Oracle serves as the security partner for the new joint venture, while previous owner ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake.)
The DOJ memo reportedly says President Donald Trump has cleared “employees of Executive Branch agencies” to “download TikTok onto their official devices, subject to the agency’s discretion and consistent with all applicable workplace policies.”
Open Questions
- What are the specific security protocols of the new joint venture?
- Which agencies will exercise their discretion to allow TikTok?
