DOJ lifts TikTok ban for federal staff after Oracle data deal

The U.S. Department of Justice has lifted the ban on TikTok for federal workers, allowing them to download the app on government devices. This decision follows significant changes in TikTok's business structure, wherein it established the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, reducing ByteDance's ownership to nearly 20%. The app will secure local user data in Oracle's cloud and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Although federal workers can use TikTok, agencies maintain authority to restrict app usage to promote productivity. This change marks a transition from viewing TikTok as a security threat to an accepted platform, reflecting a geopolitical compromise.