This doesn't sound right to me. Apple is still issuing gift cards for hardware trade-ins as of last week, and obviously they are bound to honor them. Specific

This doesn't sound right to me. Apple is still issuing gift cards for hardware trade-ins as of last week, and obviously they are bound to honor them. Specific accounts may be flagged, for sure. But a general ban on GC-related purchases would be a very big regulatory deal. Do you have links to a published source?