David and Ina Steiner lived through a real nightmare. After several years of proceedings, this couple of American bloggers, originally from Massachusetts, have just ordered the online resale platform eBay to pay them the sum of three million dollars for acts of harassment.
It all started in 2019 when the couple reported, on their EcommerceBytes site, certain criticisms of the platform, inviting their subscribers to be wary of certain company practices. Faced with these criticisms, several eBay employees then launched a vast campaign of intimidation and harassment against the couple of bloggers.
Living spiders, funeral wreaths, sex parties…
Over the months, David and Ina Steiner will receive, directly at their home, live spiders and cockroaches, but also pig fetuses. The couple also received a book in their mailbox about the loss of a spouse, and placed on the steps of their house, a funeral wreath.
In addition to these packages received at their homes, some eBay employees created false ads to organize sex parties at the couple’s home, via the Craigslist site. A GPS tracking device was also installed on the couple’s car. To which must be added an organized cyberharassment campaign on social networks. Ina Steiner received strange messages on X (Twitter), but also dozens of letters from support groups for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Several prison sentences
eBay was ultimately charged with multiple counts of stalking via electronic communications services, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Several employees of the group were given prison sentences or suspended sentences. And in addition to the obligation to pay a fine of 3 million dollars to the couple, the platform is required to use the services of an independent monitor who will verify the company’s compliance on these subjects for a period of three years , indicates the New York Post.
According to authorities, eBay engaged in “absolutely horrific criminal conduct” as did its employees, who went so far as to install a tracking device on the couple’s vehicle. In a press release, the American giant admits “bad and reprehensible” conduct, nevertheless insisting on its desire to collaborate with the authorities once the matter comes to light in 2019.