North Dakota Lifts TikTok Ban On State Devices After Ownership Changes

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has rescinded North Dakota’s ban on TikTok use by executive branch agencies on state-owned devices, citing updated cybersecurity assessments and changes to the ownership of the social media platform.

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Armstrong signed the executive order Wednesday, Aug. 12, removing the statewide prohibition that had prevented executive branch agencies from using TikTok on state-owned devices. Agencies can now request access to the application, though requests must go through the North Dakota Information Technology Department’s standard application review process and meet applicable security requirements.

Former Gov. Doug Burgum issued the TikTok ban in December 2022 amid concerns about how the app collected and shared data while its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was its majority owner.

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The ownership structure changed in January 2026, when TikTok said it had separated its U.S. operations into a new joint venture majority-owned by American investors. The owners include Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, and the venture has a seven-member board with a majority of American directors.

In September 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order approving a proposed divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations to the new joint venture.

Updated risk evaluations by NDIT determined TikTok no longer presents an unmitigated or unique cybersecurity threat to state operations, according to Armstrong’s order.

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The rescission does not automatically provide agencies with access to TikTok. Agencies must still request the application through NDIT and meet the department’s security requirements before it can be used on state-owned devices.