Cyberstalking Case Settled by eBay and Former Executives

EBay has finalized a settlement agreement with journalists David and Ina Steiner, who took legal action after facing a distressing campaign of cyberstalking and harassment instigated by the company’s employees. For those who may have overlooked this alarming situation, here’s a detailed recap. Operating from Massachusetts, the Steiners manage a newsletter and website named EcommerceBytes. In 2019, Mrs. Steiner’s critical articles about eBay reportedly angered then-CEO Devin Wenig. Evidence presented during the legal proceedings revealed that Wenig instructed his communications chief to “take her down,” which led to directives being passed to eBay’s former head of security to employ aggressive tactics to silence her.

Following these orders, eBay’s security personnel launched a relentless campaign of harassment and cyberstalking targeting the Steiners. The couple received multiple threats, both online and in the form of disturbing items sent to their home. These included live cockroaches, a gruesome pig mask, a funeral wreath, and a book on coping with the loss of a spouse. Seven former eBay security staff members faced charges in 2020 and pleaded guilty, yet the executives who allegedly orchestrated this harassment did not face any repercussions at that time.

As part of today’s settlement, the Steiners will receive a total of $46.15 million from eBay, along with $2 million from Wenig, $500,000 from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer. eBay has committed to donating $6 million to various nonprofit organizations. In a notable gesture, Wenig will contribute $1 million in Ina Steiner’s name to a charity that advocates for First Amendment rights.

Christopher Murphy from Scalli Murphy Law, representing the Steiners, emphasized, “This case was always about more than obtaining financial recovery. Our clients aimed to reveal the truth, safeguard the rights of journalists and publishers, hold accountable those responsible, deter future corporate misconduct, and ensure that no one else has to endure what they went through.”

In its statement, eBay acknowledged, “The treatment the Steiners received from former employees in 2019 was wrong and unacceptable. This behavior does not reflect eBay’s culture or the values upheld by our thousands of employees worldwide today. Since these events unfolded, we have welcomed new leadership and have reinforced our policies, procedures, controls, and training to uphold high standards of conduct and ethics.”