They Won the Settlement. So Why Are the Steiners Still Terrified?
How a Small News Site Took on eBay and Won: The Steiner Story
Imagine running a small news website from your home. You write honest reviews about big companies. Suddenly, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces decides they don’t like what you wrote. What happens next sounds like a movie plot—but it’s real life.
This is the story of Ina and David Steiner, the couple behind EcommerceBytes, a news site for online sellers. For years, they reported on eBay—sometimes critically. In 2019, eBay’s leadership didn’t just complain. They launched a terrifying harassment campaign against the Steiners.
What Happened? The Harassment Campaign
In 2019, eBay’s then-CEO Devin Wenig was upset about coverage and comments on the Steiners’ website. What followed was a coordinated attack by eBay’s security team:
- Threatening messages sent to the couple
- Bizarre and scary deliveries to their home:
- Live spiders
- A bloody pig mask
- A funeral wreath
- Attempted tracking device placed on their car
- Surveillance of their daily movements
IMPORTANT POINT
This wasn’t a few rogue employees acting alone. The campaign was directed by Jim Baugh, eBay’s former head of global security—a former CIA operative. Six other eBay employees participated. All seven faced federal criminal charges for cyberstalking.
The Legal Battle: From Criminal Court to Civil Lawsuit
Step-by-Step Timeline
- 2019 – Harassment campaign occurs
- 2020 – Seven eBay employees charged federally; all eventually plead guilty or are convicted
- 2021 – Steiners file civil lawsuit against eBay and executives
- 2022 – Judge William Young calls case "one of the most important in 44 years" due to threat to press freedom
- 2024 – Judge allows California’s stronger anti-stalking law (with punitive damages) to apply
- July 2026 – Historic settlement reached
The Settlement: What They Won
On July 27, 2026, the Steiners announced a groundbreaking settlement:
| Party | Amount Paid |
|---|---|
| eBay | $46.15 million to the Steiners |
| Devin Wenig (former CEO) | $2 million to the Steiners |
| Two other former executives | $550,000 total to the Steiners |
| eBay | $6 million to charities |
| Devin Wenig | $1 million to charities |
What Makes This Settlement Unusual
- No confidentiality clause (NDA) – The Steiners can speak freely
- Executives pay personally – Not just the company
- Public accountability – The story stays in the open
WHY THIS MATTERS
Most corporate settlements include strict gag orders. By refusing an NDA, the Steiners ensured their story could warn others and deter future abuse.
Why This Case Matters: Bigger Issues at Stake
The Steiners didn’t just fight for themselves. They uncovered systemic problems:
1. Massachusetts Lacks a Reporter Shield Law
- 40+ states protect journalists from revealing confidential sources
- Massachusetts does not – eBay tried to force the Steiners to expose their sources
- The Steiners are now advocating for the Senate-approved shield law to become law
2. Weak Anti-Stalking Laws in Massachusetts
- California allows punitive damages (extra money to punish bad actors)
- Massachusetts does not – making it harder to deter corporate stalking
- The Steiners want financial consequences strong enough to stop billion-dollar companies
3. Corporate Security Gone Rogue
- Documents revealed Silicon Valley security teams tracking critics and customers
- The ringleader, Jim Baugh, used CIA-style tactics against civilians
- A federal judge barred Baugh’s classified history from the trial
4. Threat to Press Freedom
Judge William Young (2022):
"We tolerate in this nation great aggregations of economic power. That power is sometimes abused. When it is abused, those who abuse it ought to be brought to account."
What’s Next for the Steiners?
- Healing phase – "It still haunts us… still very difficult to sleep" (David)
- Advocacy work – Pushing for shield law and stronger stalking penalties
- Documentary – "Whatever It Takes" (2024, on Amazon Prime) tells their story
- Blueprint for others – Their settlement model (no NDA, personal executive payments) could help future victims
Ina Steiner: "The reason we’re suing is we don’t want it to happen to anybody else. It has to be known what was done to us… Mission accomplished."
Key Takeaways
- A small news site can hold a giant corporation accountable
- Settlements without NDAs create public deterrence
- Reporter shield laws protect democracy – Massachusetts needs one
- Anti-stalking laws must have teeth – Especially against wealthy offenders
- Corporate security power needs oversight – Not just internal policies
Summary
Ina and David Steiner ran a small e-commerce news site. When eBay’s CEO disliked their coverage, the company’s security team—led by a former CIA officer—launched a months-long harassment campaign involving threats, dead animals, and surveillance. Seven employees went to prison. The Steiners sued, reviewed 68,000 internal documents, and won a $46+ million settlement with no gag order. Now they’re fighting for reporter shield laws and stronger anti-stalking penalties in Massachusetts—so no one else endures what they did.
FAQ
Did Devin Wenig (eBay’s CEO) know about the harassment?
A: Wenig claims he didn’t know and would have stopped it. An outside law firm found his "tone was improper and unacceptable" but no evidence he directed criminal acts. He paid $2 million personally in the settlement.
Why is the lack of a confidentiality clause (NDA) such a big deal?
A: Most corporate settlements silence victims. By refusing an NDA, the Steiners can speak publicly, the press can report freely, and the case becomes a public warning to other companies.
What is a "reporter shield law" and why does Massachusetts need one?
A: It protects journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources in court. 40+ states have one. Massachusetts doesn’t—eBay tried to use this gap to expose the Steiners’ sources.
What were the "68,000 documents" and why do they matter?
A: During the lawsuit, eBay turned over 68,000 internal documents. The Steiners say these showed a pattern of Silicon Valley security teams tracking critics. Many wouldn’t have been admissible at trial due to legal objections—so settling preserved their ability to use this evidence publicly.
Where can I watch the documentary about this case?
A: "Whatever It Takes" (2024) is available on Amazon Prime Video. It details the harassment, legal battle, and the Steiners’ fight for accountability.