According to a report on August 11, the Trump administration has lifted restrictions on using TikTok on federal government devices. The decision comes after the restructuring of TikTok’s U.S. operations, which reportedly no longer poses the so-called “national security threat.”
A memorandum released Monday by the White House Office of Management and Budget rescinded a 2023 directive that had banned TikTok on government devices. That earlier order was driven by concerns over the app’s then-Chinese ownership, which was viewed as a potential security risk.
Before issuing this new memo, the U.S. Department of Justice provided a written opinion last month, concluding that TikTok no longer meets the definition of a “regulated application” under a law passed in 2022. That legislation had previously barred TikTok from federal platforms.
Back in January, TikTok announced the establishment of the TikTok U.S. Data Security Joint Venture LLC. This new entity is responsible for overseeing data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software safeguards for TikTok’s U.S. operations.
As previously reported, ByteDance will continue to own the intellectual property rights to TikTok’s algorithm, while licensing it to the joint venture. The announcement also noted that TikTok U.S. will handle commercial activities like e-commerce, advertising, and marketing, as well as ensuring interconnectivity with TikTok’s global products. The company is fully owned by ByteDance.
This business arrangement marks the official implementation of TikTok’s U.S. plan, ensuring that over 200 million American users can continue using the platform. Moreover, based on the corporate structure and operational divisions outlined in the announcement, TikTok’s U.S. solution bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s “Cloud Guizhou” operational model in China.
In September of last year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed TikTok-related questions, stating that China’s position on the matter is clear. The Chinese government respects the will of enterprises and welcomes commercial negotiations conducted in line with market rules, aiming for solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations while balancing interests. He also expressed hope that the U.S. would provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in America.