After the US TikTok ban, devices with the app preinstalled are being sold, and some are purchasing them despite the security risks involved. Both Apple and Google are still allowing use for those who already downloaded the app, while new users are out of luck.
This situation has created an opportunity for some individuals who are selling used phones with preinstalled TikTok at exorbitant prices on online platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and others. The inflated prices, sometimes comparable to a new car, pose a dilemma regarding digital security.
Sellers are capitalizing on this trend, prompting one eBay seller to list a Samsung Galaxy Note9 with TikTok for $50,000, open to negotiation starting at $15,000. While some motivated by social media posts are trying their luck, selling aged devices at eye-watering prices.
Though numerous TikTok-loaded devices are up for sale, most are being sold at regular prices, averaging between a few hundred dollars and over $1,000. While these listings may seem comical, the situation carries significant risks according to computer scientist Ryan McGrady from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
McGrady warns that people's attachment to online services can lead to risky behaviors, a sentiment he supported with the cautionary tale of Flappy Bird. He emphasizes the potential dangers posed by purchasing these preloaded devices, underscoring the cybersecurity risks involved.
The ban on TikTok was fueled by concerns over Chinese ownership and data security issues, a worry that McGrady suggests could be exploited by malicious actors in the face of users seeking alternative means to access the app.