eBay Executives Terrorized Critics: A Corporate Scandal

In a shocking display of corporate power, former eBay executives orchestrated a campaign of terror against the publishers of EcommerceBytes, a small news site that reported inconvenient truths about the company.

Ina and David Steiner, the couple behind EcommerceBytes, were subjected to intense cyberstalking, death threats, and physical intimidation, including the delivery of a funeral wreath and disturbing packages to their home.

This coordinated harassment, led by eBay's head of security, James Baugh, aimed to silence the Steiners. Federal prosecutors indicted six former employees on cyberstalking charges in 2020.

Despite evidence suggesting executive knowledge, including text messages and demands to act 'off the radar,' no top executives faced criminal charges.

Prosecutors ultimately did not secure convictions against senior management, and eBay's penalty was a mere $3 million, viewed as trivial for a company of its size at the time.

The Steiners have since filed a civil suit, accusing the company and executives of a systematic campaign to inflict emotional and psychological torture.

A documentary, 'Whatever It Takes: Inside the eBay Scandal,' details the events, highlighting the pressure against the news media and the severance of cause and effect.

As of July 2026, the Steiners' civil suit is ongoing, with a trial tentatively scheduled for January 2027, as they seek justice and answers about who gave the orders.