eBay to pay $46M to journalists targeted in harassment campaign
eBay and three former executives have agreed to pay nearly $56 million in a settlement over a cyberstalking and harassment campaign targeting two journalists that began in 2019. The campaign included threatening deliveries and online harassment.
Online marketplace eBay and three of its former executives have agreed to pay almost $56 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from a cyberstalking and harassment campaign directed at two journalists in 2019. The campaign was allegedly orchestrated to silence the journalists' reporting on issues concerning eBay.
The victims, Ina and David Steiner, who run the news website EcommerceBytes, detailed how they received threatening packages at their home. These included live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask. The harassment also extended to emails, Twitter messages, and an attempted installation of a GPS tracking device on the couple's car.
Criminal charges were previously filed against several former eBay employees involved in the scheme, resulting in guilty pleas and prison sentences. The Steiners filed their civil lawsuit in 2021, seeking damages for the prolonged harassment.
The civil settlement totals $55.7 million and includes both compensation for the victims and commitments to charitable causes. This landmark settlement aims to protect journalists from similar intimidation tactics.