What's happened
A federal lawsuit by eBay critics, David and Ina Steiner, over harassment by former employees has been settled and dismissed after eBay reached an undisclosed agreement. The case stemmed from a campaign of cyberstalking and threats linked to critical reporting on eBay, involving multiple employees and a criminal penalty paid by eBay in 2024.
What's behind the headline?
The settlement marks a significant moment in corporate accountability, highlighting how companies may inadvertently enable harassment campaigns through internal misconduct. The involvement of high-level executives, including a message from then-CEO Devin Wenig, suggests systemic issues within eBay's leadership at the time. The case underscores the risks of retaliation against critical journalism and the importance of corporate oversight. Moving forward, this case will likely influence how tech companies handle employee misconduct and protect journalists from targeted harassment. The legal resolution also signals a potential shift towards greater accountability, but the lack of transparency around settlement terms leaves questions about the company's internal reforms.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the case was dismissed after eBay and the Steiners reached an agreement, with the lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to silence critical reporting. Reuters and AP News both detail the harassment campaign, including the delivery of live spiders, cockroaches, and threatening messages. The articles highlight the criminal sentences for former employees and eBay's 2024 penalty, emphasizing the systemic nature of the misconduct and the broader implications for corporate governance and free speech.
How we got here
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by the Steiners, who run EcommerceBytes, alleging a conspiracy by eBay employees to intimidate and silence their reporting. The harassment campaign included cyberstalking, threats, and in-person surveillance, which led to criminal charges and prison sentences for several former employees. eBay paid a $3 million penalty in 2024 as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. The case was set to go to trial before being dismissed following a settlement, with the terms undisclosed.
Go deeper
- What measures has eBay implemented since the harassment campaign?
- How might this case influence corporate accountability in the tech industry?
- Will the settlement lead to stronger protections for journalists and critics?
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eBay Inc. is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California, that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website. eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995, and became a notable success