eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay $56 million to David and Ina Steiner after a harassment campaign in response to their online criticism of the company. The Steiners, who ran the critical website EcommerceBytes, were targeted in 2019 by eBay executives, including the then-CEO, who sent them threatening items like a pig’s blood-covered mask and a funeral wreath. The harassment extended to attempts to install a tracking device on their car. Seven former executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges, and eBay entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice, paying a $3 million fine. The settlement includes $6 million for non-profits, with former CEO Wenig personally contributing $1 million to a charity supporting First Amendment rights. eBay condemned the actions as “reprehensible” and committed to compensating the Steiners fairly.
QUESTION: How might this case influence how companies handle criticism and protect freedom of speech in the future?
eBay agrees $56m settlement with bloggers over harassment case
