TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
eBay settles harassment lawsuit for $50 million
- eBay will pay nearly $50 million after employees reportedly sent a Massachusetts couple a bloody pig mask, cockroaches, and death threats.
- The Steiners, who operate the EcommerceBytes newsletter, sued eBay and its former executives in 2021.
- The Department of Justice charged seven former eBay employees in connection with the harassment in 2020.
- The lawsuit accused eBay of launching a coordinated effort to intimidate, threaten, and silence the Steiners in an attempt to stifle their eBay-related reporting.
Background on eBay harassment case
- The harassment included anonymous deliveries of items like live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig face mask to the couple’s home.
- Under the settlement, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million in compensation, including $46.15 million from eBay.
- eBay will also donate $6 million to nonprofit organizations as part of the settlement.
- The resolution sends a warning that attempts by big business to suppress speech and the press will not be tolerated.
- The settlement contains no confidentiality provision, allowing the Steiners to discuss the case publicly.
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Key Insight
“Under the settlement, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million, including $46.15 million from eBay and $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig. Additionally, eBay will donate $6 million to nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the resolution's message against suppressing speech and press.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
Fortune
“eBay will pay nearly $50 million after employees reportedly sent a Massachusetts couple a bloody pig mask, cockroaches and death threats”
Fortune →2
The Verge
“A group of now-former executives sent live insects, a bloody pig mask, and a funeral wreath to a couple who covered eBay in a newsletter.”
The Verge →Ask CuriousCats
What was the lawsuit against eBay about?
Who are David and Ina Steiner?
Why did eBay settle for such a large amount?
How does this settlement compare to other harassment cases?
Are there similar legal actions against tech companies?
