As the US enforces a ban on TikTok, some individuals are capitalizing on the situation by reselling phones and tablets with the app preinstalled. While the demand for such devices appears to be rising, experts warn that purchasing these devices poses serious security risks.
TikTok officially became banned in the United States on January 19, following the passage of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This legislation bars the app’s distribution through platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. While a 75-day extension granted by former President Donald Trump temporarily halts enforcement of the law, it has not overturned the ban. As a result, users can no longer download the app on new devices, leading to a curious trend in online marketplaces.
On platforms such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy, individuals are selling used phones and tablets with TikTok preinstalled—often for exorbitant prices. A Samsung Galaxy Note9, typically worth around $250, is being listed for as much as $50,000. Though the price is negotiable, some sellers have set a minimum of $15,000, hoping to profit from the growing demand for TikTok access.
These inflated prices are fueled by a mix of desperation and opportunity. Some users, feeling deprived of the app they rely on, are willing to pay high prices to access TikTok once more. One seller, inspired by viral videos, decided to list an old iPhone at a similar price, unsure whether the app would actually be banned but hoping to profit.
However, experts caution that purchasing a device with TikTok preinstalled is fraught with risks. According to Ryan McGrady, a computer scientist at the University of Massachusetts, such devices could be loaded with malware or other malicious software. McGrady notes that “it’s a bad actor’s dream” to sell a device to someone without them wiping it first, leaving the door open for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting buyers.
The situation mirrors the 2013 Flappy Bird incident, where a sudden removal of the game from app stores prompted users to buy phones with the game preinstalled. Many of those devices ended up containing malware, leading to financial losses and personal data breaches.
McGrady warns that the desperation of TikTok users could lead them to take similar risks, such as using unverified methods like VPNs or jailbreaking their devices to circumvent the ban. These actions could further expose users to security threats.
The debate surrounding TikTok’s ban stems from concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential data security risks. While discussions about a potential sale of TikTok continue, with Microsoft reportedly in talks to acquire the app, the risks associated with buying devices that bypass the ban remain a pressing concern for tech experts.
In the meantime, anyone looking to purchase a device with TikTok preinstalled should carefully consider the potential consequences. The promise of access to the app could come with unforeseen dangers.
