- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
New York City Lifts TikTok Ban for Government Agencies
Mayor Mamdani reverses predecessor's policy, allowing select staff to use app under strict security rules
Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:32pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The new TikTok policy for New York City government agencies aims to leverage the platform's digital reach to better connect with residents.NYC TodayNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced the rollback of the city's 2023 prohibition on the use of TikTok by government agencies. The move comes with strict guidelines, including the requirement that only designated staffers on dedicated government devices can use TikTok, with accounts controlled by agencies rather than individuals. The change reflects Mamdani's belief in the importance of social media platforms for governing and communicating with the public.
Why it matters
The lifting of the TikTok ban for New York City government agencies signals a shift in the administration's approach to social media and digital communication. It highlights the mayor's recognition of the platform's potential to reach and engage with the public, particularly on issues related to city services, emergency situations, and upcoming events.
The details
Under the new policy, city agencies will be allowed to use TikTok again, but with strict security measures in place. Only designated staffers on dedicated government devices will be permitted to use the app, and the accounts will be controlled by the agencies themselves, rather than individual employees. The change follows a January deal that left TikTok mostly in the hands of non-Chinese investors, addressing some of the previous data-security concerns.
- In 2023, New York City implemented a ban on the use of TikTok by government agencies.
- On April 1, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the rollback of the TikTok ban for city agencies.
The players
Zohran Mamdani
The current mayor of New York City, who has built his political brand online and sees social media platforms as core to governing.
NYC Cyber Command
The city agency that protects against cyber threats and issued a memo to city agencies about the new TikTok policy.
What they’re saying
“TikTok, we're back.”
— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
“The Mamdani administration is committed to using every tool in our toolbox to communicate with New Yorkers. At a moment when people are turning to city government for information about free services, emergency situations, upcoming events, and more, we want to open up new avenues of communication with the public and help deliver the information New Yorkers need.”
— NYC Cyber Command
What’s next
The new TikTok policy for New York City government agencies will go into effect immediately, with designated staffers on dedicated devices able to use the platform to communicate with the public.
The takeaway
The reversal of the TikTok ban for New York City government agencies reflects the Mamdani administration's embrace of social media as a tool for engaging with the public and delivering important information. This shift in approach highlights the mayor's recognition of the platform's potential to reach and connect with residents, particularly on issues related to city services and events.
