eBay Agrees to Multi-Million Dollar Settlement in Harassment Case Against Bloggers

1-Minute Brief

The settlement highlights corporate accountability issues after eBay employees targeted critics with a harassment campaign.

Key Facts

• eBay has agreed to pay a large settlement to resolve a harassment case involving a Massachusetts couple.
• The settlement amount is reported as nearly $50 million by The Independent.
• David and Ina Steiner, journalists and bloggers, were the victims of a 2019 cyberstalking campaign by former eBay employees.
• The Steiners' blog had published critical coverage of eBay, which reportedly angered company executives.
• The harassment campaign included sending disturbing items such as cockroaches and a bloody pig mask to the couple.

What Happened

eBay reached a settlement with David and Ina Steiner, who were subjected to a harassment campaign in 2019 by former eBay employees after their blog published critical coverage of the company.

Why It Matters

The case raises questions about corporate oversight and the lengths to which companies or their employees may go in response to criticism. It also underscores the legal consequences of harassment and cyberstalking. Settlement amount varies by source: CNBC reports $56 million, The Independent reports nearly $50 million.

What's Next

The settlement concludes the Steiners' lawsuit against eBay. Further legal or regulatory scrutiny of eBay's corporate practices may follow.