US Lifts TikTok Ban on Federal Devices, Reversing 2023 Directive
The US government has lifted restrictions on using TikTok on federal government devices. The White House Office of Management and Budget on Monday revoked a 2023 directive banning the short-video app over security concerns. This follows a Department of Justice opinion last month concluding TikTok no longer meets the criteria for a 'covered application' under a 2022 law. In January 2026, TikTok's US operations restructured into TikTok USDS Joint Venture, with investors including Oracle and Silver Lake, while ByteDance retains a minority stake.
The US government has lifted restrictions on the use of TikTok on federal government devices. In a memorandum issued Monday, the White House Office of Management and Budget revoked a 2023 directive that had banned the short-video service on government devices over security concerns. The action follows a written opinion from the US Department of Justice last month, which concluded that TikTok no longer meets the definition of a 'covered application' under a law passed in 2022 that prohibits TikTok on federal platforms.
In January 2026, TikTok's US business completed a restructuring, forming a new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture, and bringing in investors such as Oracle and Silver Lake. ByteDance retains a minority stake. The new entity is responsible for data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance for TikTok's US operations.
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The event has a measured impact on 1 industry. The strongest current signal is positive for Social Media, with intensity 30/100 and 60% confidence over a short term horizon.
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