eBay Settles $56M Cyberstalking Case Against Journalist Couple
eBay has agreed to a $56 million settlement with a Massachusetts couple who were targeted by the company's former executives in a 2019 cyberstalking campaign. The couple, Ina and David Steiner, were subjected to harassment and intimidation after criticizing eBay in their newsletter. The settlement resolves a 2021 civil case brought by the couple against eBay and its former executives.
Key points
- eBay will pay $56 million to settle a 2021 civil case brought by Ina and David Steiner, a married couple and co-authors of EcommerceBytes newsletter.
- The couple was targeted by eBay's former executives in a 2019 cyberstalking campaign, which included threats, harassment, and intimidation.
- Seven former eBay employees were charged and convicted in connection with the harassment campaign in 2020.
- Former eBay CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million as part of the settlement, while eBay itself will pay $46.15 million.
eBay has agreed to a $56 million settlement with a Massachusetts couple who were targeted by the company's former executives in a 2019 cyberstalking campaign. The couple, Ina and David Steiner, were subjected to harassment and intimidation after criticizing eBay in their newsletter.
The settlement resolves a 2021 civil case brought by the couple against eBay and its former executives. The case highlighted a bizarre and disturbing episode in e-commerce history, in which eBay's former executives used sock puppet social media accounts, anonymous threatening letters, and bizarre items to intimidate the couple.
Seven former eBay employees were charged and convicted in connection with the harassment campaign in 2020. Former eBay CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million as part of the settlement, while eBay itself will pay $46.15 million.
The settlement marks the end of a lengthy legal saga that revealed the extent of eBay's involvement in the harassment campaign. The company has apologized for the actions of its former executives and condemned the behavior as 'wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened'.
Sources
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