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eBay agrees $56M settlement with bloggers over harassment case
16 hours ago
- eBay and former executives agreed to pay David and Ina Steiner $56 million over a harassment campaign in retaliation for their online criticism.
- The Steiners, who ran EcommerceBytes, faced threats including a pig blood mask, a funeral wreath, and attempts to install a tracking device on their car.
- Seven former eBay executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges between 2022 and 2024 for their roles in the harassment.
- eBay paid a $3 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement, and former CEO Devin Wenig personally contributed $1 million to the settlement.
- Wenig's text message 'Take her down' was characterized as part of a PR strategy, not a direct threat, by his representative.
- The settlement includes $6 million to various non-profit organizations, with Wenig's portion going to a charity protecting First Amendment rights.
- eBay admitted the harassment was 'wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened' and condemned the former employees involved.
eBay pays $46M to journalists it targeted in harassment campaign
18 hours ago
- eBay and three former executives agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a 2019 cyberstalking and harassment case targeting journalists Ina and David Steiner.
- The harassment included deliveries of live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and a book about surviving spousal loss, along with GPS tracking attempts and harassing messages.
- Victims Ina and David Steiner, who run EcommerceBytes, filed a lawsuit in 2021; the settlement includes $55.7 million in compensation and charitable commitments.
- eBay pays $46.15 million in compensation, with additional payments from former executives: $2 million from Devin Wenig, $500,000 from Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from Steve Wymer.
- eBay contributes $6 million to charities, and Wenig donates $1 million to a charity protecting First Amendment rights in Ina Steiner's name.
- Settlements were also reached with all other eBay employees named in the civil action.
eBay reaches $56M settlement with e-commerce newsletter writers
a day ago
- eBay and former employees agreed to pay $56 million to Ina and David Steiner, who were targeted in a 2019 harassment campaign after criticizing the company in their newsletter.
- The harassment included anonymous threats, live spiders, cockroaches, a bloody pig mask, and plans to attach a GPS tracker to the couple's car.
- Seven former eBay employees were criminally charged and pleaded guilty, with former security chief James Baugh sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
- eBay has apologized and stated the behavior was not representative of its culture, while also paying additional amounts to non-profits.
eBay agreed to pay nearly $50M to couple sent cockroaches, bloody pig mask
a day ago
- eBay agreed to pay nearly $50 million to a Massachusetts couple who were harassed by former employees, including threats and bizarre deliveries like live cockroaches and a bloody pig mask.
- The settlement resolves a lawsuit from David and Ina Steiner, founders of EcommerceBytes, who said eBay employees targeted them to stifle their reporting on the company.
- Former eBay executives, including ex-CEO Devin Wenig, contributed personally to the settlement, which also includes $7 million in charitable donations and no confidentiality clause.
- Seven former eBay employees faced criminal charges for the harassment campaign, with most pleading guilty to conspiracy and cyberstalking.
- eBay apologized, stating the conduct was wrong and not representative of its culture, and has since changed leadership and policies.

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eBay agrees $56M settlement with bloggers over harassment case

eBay pays $46M to journalists it targeted in harassment campaign

eBay reaches $56M settlement with e-commerce newsletter writers

eBay agreed to pay nearly $50M to couple sent cockroaches, bloody pig mask