eBay decided to pay a $56 million settlement to eCommerce newsletter writers David and Ina Steiner. The couple known as the Steiners was running a newsletter website, EcommerceBytes, for eBay.
In 2021, the Steiners accused eBay of harassment and threats. It included eBay’s chief executive and many other executives.
The 2019 lawsuit is known as the Cyberstalking Campaign.
Here is everything you must know about the Cyberstalking Campaign and eBay’s final settlement.
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| eBay $56 Million Settlement to Newsletter Bloggers: RavStation |
Cyberstalking Campaign:
The Steiners published articles that were critical for eBay. The company’s top management has seen those articles as inappropriate. The issue triggered a series of threats and harassment for the Steiners.
Even then eBay CEO Devin Wenig texted his executive about Ina Stainer to “take her down.”
The 7 eBay employees were found guilty. The FBI reported that eBay’s actions were a relentless, unprecedented, and over-the-top harassment campaign.
Here is what the Steiners suffered:
It all began in 2019, when eBay executives plotted a harassment campaign against the Steiners.
- They sent threatening items and letters to the couple. It includes a funereal wreath, a book about surviving the death of a spouse, cockroaches, spiders, and other objectionable materials.
- Executives also tried to attach a GPS tracker to the Steiners' car.
- The eBay executive also planned to send the Samoan gang.
What the Steiners will get from the $56 million settlement:
In July 2026, eBay finally proposed the settlement with the Steiners.
The $55.7 million includes $1 million from former CEO Devin Wenig to a free-speech charity, $6 million to charity, and $48.7 million directly to the Steiners.
Wendy Jones will pay $500,000 to the couple. Steve Wymer will pay $50,000.
eBay’s Response:
eBay published a public statement where it disavowed its former employee’s behavior. The statement includes a strong response from eBay. eBay condemns any employee who perpetrated and plead guilty to criminal charges for misconduct.
eBay also extended deepest apologies to the couple. The company is trying to compensate the Steiners for the time they have suffered.
The Steiners’ attorney, Christopher Murphy, said that the lawsuit was there to uncover the truth and protect publishers from harassment. It was needed to protect journalism.
Conclusion:
The eBay executive crosses the very line between harassment and questioning. They tried everything to threaten David and Ina Steiner. Sending emails, planning a harassment campaign, and trying to spy on the couple are some of the serious charges that eBay executives faced and were found guilty of.
eBay’s $56 million settlement to David and Ina Steiner will not heal the time they have suffered these threats, but it brings financial punishment to the institution involved in bad practices.
It will also help the Steiners to improve their lives and stay strong with their journalism and article writing.
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