A US judge has ruled that a couple’s case against eBay over a stalking campaign can move forward. The couple alleges that eBay employees harassed them in retaliation for their critical reporting on the company. The ruling allows the case to proceed to trial, potentially setting a precedent for how companies are held accountable for their employees’ actions.
In 2019, the couple, Ina and David Steiner, filed a lawsuit against eBay, accusing the company of orchestrating a cyberstalking campaign against them. The Steiners, who run an e-commerce blog, had published critical articles about eBay, prompting employees to allegedly send threatening messages, conduct surveillance on their home, and send a box of live cockroaches to their house.
The judge’s ruling allows the Steiners to move forward with their lawsuit, which could shed light on the responsibility that companies have for their employees’ actions. The couple’s lawyer, Rosemary Scapicchio, stated that the ruling signifies a victory for victims of corporate retaliation and harassment.
eBay has acknowledged that some of its former employees were involved in the stalking campaign and has taken steps to address the issue. The company has fired several employees implicated in the case and expressed regret for the incidents.
The ruling highlights the increasing importance of holding companies accountable for their employees’ actions, particularly in cases of online harassment and cyberstalking. The Steiners’ case could prompt companies to reinforce policies to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of individuals who speak out against them.
As the case moves forward, the Steiners hope to achieve justice and send a message that corporate retaliation and harassment will not be tolerated. The ruling sets a precedent for victims of similar incidents to seek justice and hold companies accountable for their employees’ actions.
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