# Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-20 01:29 UTC · Category: Business · Sources: 5 · Current Velocity: 2.8

## Executive Summary
The Trump administration has reversed the ban on TikTok, allowing federal employees to once again download the app on government devices.

## Intelligence Brief
Federal employees are now permitted to download TikTok on their work phones and government devices. This change follows a reversal by the Trump administration regarding previous bans centered on security risks.


According to coverage from Reuters, CBS News, and TechCrunch, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has clarified that downloading the app on federal devices is no longer illegal. Reports from inkl and inc.com highlight the policy shift as a direct reversal of the prior ban.


Future developments will likely center on the implementation of this reversal across various federal agencies following the DOJ's announcement.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### Who announced that TikTok is allowed on federal devices?
The Department of Justice (DOJ).

### Why was TikTok previously banned?
Coverage indicates the ban was based on security risks.

### Which administration reversed the ban?
The Trump administration.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
Federal, TikTok, DOJ, TikTok Back, Government Devices, Trump Administration Reverses Ban Over Security Risks, U.S Government Banned TikTok Now

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| inkl | TikTok Back on Government Devices as Trump Administration Reverses Ban Over Security Risks | 2026-07-18 15:54 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxNRGo3amxWU0sxMDRiQWx4U3ZveVhGZzdNRkdxTTlUbzZVOWZMV1dzcDVkSnBhZjI2VC02bEMxRk9yRWRWMlJOR3BsekZPUkxsb24yREVOc2dCNXJMczUtc3JtYVQ1Z3EwSXd1ZEpUa2RUZjd3U2pJVVBqTG5TeVpyclVodzh4OEVjQUs4QS1HTWgwWmdhVktNeExaYXR4QTdSYVdELVVzdlVxc19OQUpVR0dhM2JmSHM?oc=5) |
| inc.com | The U.S. Government Banned TikTok. Now It’s Back | 2026-07-18 15:54 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxON1p6UFZHS1JNUUxoUGRZdzRPTUJXRldzd1p0MjBrNklzUkVwMmRmU0lYNzYxVFk0eVd4Q1dPUG5hS090a3EzYW9ZWFhpZ3Q1ajVSdTYwbDlXSkZnRW5TVVIxcUktRzBjUlZWQkR2TER6cjVIT085dmxhdW9DVlRoVVpubEpLQ3dlMVBmR0RWbnM?oc=5) |
| CBS News | DOJ says it's no longer illegal to download TikTok on federal devices | 2026-07-18 15:54 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMic0FVX3lxTE0yeWtJYUFvWVNPel83clBKMVc5ZElzWDFmbENSY24yWUtGVklBdW9HRjVFV1UtdXVmWlBpeFlya0U0TVdZWTJJQVpiNTdrQTJxU2hyZGJmemNaTGdycm43U1owYWs1LXJTa21VaVFfY3FteUE?oc=5) |
| Reuters | Federal employees can download TikTok on government devices, DOJ says | 2026-07-18 15:54 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxORXlPRm9FWF9FVk1wWGdlOVBkZlpyWEEzejgxbnhEYVhwRFFOVlliX1N1Yjc2dTVTMUo3SmdqdTN1VFczaHFrUjFXM2wtQWUtclJPa1Q4TFJqMkZjdXBpMGRrRjI5Vl8xRS1QTmFIcko3UE9ZRklieW5YVkxtUjBWWFBKVUY1dndZaVFudEEwUXhKOS1obmZBV0JvOXhNMWV4YWRaV0E3WUcyTk0?oc=5) |
| TechCrunch | Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again | 2026-07-18 15:54 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxQNkc2UjlMbGUyNV9rb3ZON0w3dmtpd1FCajVQZW8xU0ZRWnAxUzZsZjFGb1BhZ0hpeXoyMTFiakV3LVFkRW5aRFZPd2NZYmVkSE4xVG9PZElIVHJvLVJsX2RaRkU5dEp3VExxMzdpaUlxVElKbE5hNUVnNlozVjdGVkVQaHl4ZVBBME9EQS1CdHFGV1JhZWR6b2tDZm4wdzRs?oc=5) |

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