David and Ina Steiner, founders of e-commerce newsletter EcommerceBytes, alleged they were subjected to threats, cyberstalking and surveillance in 2019 in an attempt to silence their reporting on the company.

The settlement will see the Steiners receive $48.7m, including payments from eBay and former executives, and includes $7m in charitable donations.

The dispute followed criminal proceedings against seven former eBay employees, several of whom pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and cyberstalking. eBay previously paid a $3m criminal penalty over the conduct. The company apologised, saying the campaign was “wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened”.