#54: The eBay Cyberstalking Scandal - How a Small Newsletter Became a Corporate Target

When the publishers of a small newsletter criticized eBay, an anonymous harassment campaign moved from their inbox to their doorstep.For two decades, Ina and David Steiner reported on eBay, Amazon, and the changing world of online commerce through their independent publication, EcommerceBytes. Their work was often critical, but nothing prepared them for the anonymous message that appeared in August 2019 asking, “What’s your problem with eBay?”Within days, threatening messages were followed by unwanted subscriptions, disturbing deliveries, and strangers arriving at the couple’s home in Natick, Massachusetts. Whoever was responsible knew where the Steiners lived, understood their routines, and seemed determined to force them into silence. But what had two small-business journalists published to provoke such an elaborate campaign? Who possessed the resources to carry it beyond the internet, and what did the harassers ultimately want from them?This episode examines the case that became known as the eBay cyberstalking scandal, tracing how routine reporting became the apparent catalyst for a campaign involving anonymous accounts, corporate power, physical surveillance, and a plan far more calculated than its targets could have imagined.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support.📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightwatchfiles/ⓕ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573576827447&sk=about www.nightwatchfiles.comSUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREEJoin our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience.Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below.Ad-Free EpisodesPatreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFilesApple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNWSpotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsTSupporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAmSupport UsKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfilesMerch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/storeProduction note: The host’s voice is digitally generated and extensively edited to meet our quality standards. All stories, research, and scripts are created by real people.