eBay is seeing listings of used iPhones featuring TikTok at exorbitant prices, with some sellers attempting to profit from the app’s controversial status. One such listing has a staggering price of $50,000 for an unlocked iPhone 12 Pro Max “with TikTok app.”
Despite Trump’s executive order aiming to protect companies from legal repercussions for disregarding the law, tech giants like Apple and Google remain committed to excluding TikTok from their US app stores.
Update on TikTok’s Status
On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld legislation that enforces a ban on TikTok in the United States, which took effect on January 19. TikTok was removed from US servers on Sunday, and app stores followed suit. Apple communicated its obligation to comply with the law.
On the same day, Trump took to social media to announce that he would suspend the ban starting his first day in office, promising that companies would not face repercussions for ignoring the law until then. This led Bytedance to restore access to the app, believing Oracle would back Trump’s assurances regarding legal liability.
Trump subsequently issued an executive order halting enforcement of the law for 75 days and stating that entities violating the law would not incur penalties. However, legal experts noted that this order could conflict with existing legislation, potentially leaving companies liable for fines amounting to $850 billion. Others highlighted the additional uncertainty, as Trump could reverse his position on certain companies at any time.
iPhones with TikTok for Sale on eBay
Wired reported that opportunistic sellers are capitalizing on the situation, listing used Android and iPhones with TikTok pre-installed at prices significantly above market value.
A quick search for “TikTok phone” yields over 9,000 listings of second-hand smartphones from brands like Apple and Samsung, all featuring the TikTok app already installed […]
Prices for these TikTok-enabled phones can soar as high as $50,000 in eBay’s Buy It Now listings, with many others found in the $2,000 to $5,000 range.
Thankfully, the report indicates that logic is starting to prevail. Many overpriced listings are not selling, and some complete sales occurred via the “best offer” feature, allowing buyers to propose a more reasonable price, often far below what was originally asked.
Interestingly, it is possible to use some of these iPhones due to how iCloud handles app installations. When User A downloads apps using their Apple ID and then User B logs in with their own Apple ID, the previously installed apps remain accessible. However, restoring from an iCloud backup will erase any previously installed apps.
For those looking to use TikTok, accessing it through a web browser might be a more reliable option.
Image: Screengrab from eBay
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