×
Save Almost 20 Percent On Our Favorite Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Save Almost 20 Percent On Our Favorite Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Tech-news , , ,

Looking for a Bluetooth speaker that’s portable, affordable, and waterproof? You can pick up the Tribit Stormbox Mini+ for just $33 from Amazon, a $7 discount from its usual price. It’s super portable, totally waterproof, and has big, bold sound that’s great for traveling, backyard parties, or bike rides, making it an easy pick for our favorite portable Bluetooth speaker.

While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers that are table-worthy, there are far fewer competent speakers at this more pocketable footprint. At 4.69 inches tall and 3.58 inches and diameter, it’s just about the same size as the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, but at less than half the price. It sports similar features too, with 360-degree speakers for complete sound no matter where you’re standing, albeit without quite as much clarity. You can also pair up multiple speakers for a proper stereo setup that will cover your whole backyard, a trick not a lot of speakers at this price point have up their sleeve.

Despite its compact size and affordable pricing, the Stormbox Mini+ is surprisingly sturdy. It has an IPX7 rating, which means you can submerge it fully underwater for up to 30 minutes, although it doesn’t float the right way, so it’s probably better for surviving a quick rainstorm than powering a pool party. You can crank the volume without any distortion, although it will affect your battery life, which is typically just under 10 hours with the lights on and volume up. It also has a speakerphone mode, in case you want to give that one friend running late to the party some FOMO.

While all the Stormbox Mini+ is marked down by $7 in all three colors, the black version has a lower starting price of $40, while the blue and green models started at $42, and are now marked down to $35. There was also a coupon on the page for an extra 10% off applied at checkout, but your mileage may vary. Make sure you check out our full roundup if you’re curious which other Bluetooth speakers we like, or you’re willing to spend a bit more.

Source link
#Save #Percent #Favorite #Portable #Bluetooth #Speaker

Tag

Related Posts

reports, Vivo has started preparations for launching its S series phones back in India with the release of the Vivo S2 smartphone. While Vivo hasn’t officially confirmed a release date, some reports indicate the phone could launch on August 6th, with sales expected to begin on August 11. This would mark the revival of the S series of phones in India following the debut of the Vivo S1 phone back in 2019. Reports have also given an early look at its design while revealing details about its expected specifications, color options, and launch plans.

Expected Specifications and Camera Features

Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will feature an OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The phone may use the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 chipset, built on a 4nm process. Reports also suggest the phone will come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants. On the camera front, the Vivo S2 is tipped to include a 50MP Sony main sensor. Some information also suggests that the phone would be capable of recording videos in 4K quality through both front and rear cameras.

According to some recent leaks, the Vivo S2 would come with a sleek design. It would have a 3D curved display with narrow borders and a punch-hole selfie camera at the center of the device. On the back side, there would be a camera module in the shape of a pill with two big rings and an LED flash. Unlike many smartphones, the camera module matches the rear panel color for a more seamless finish. Vivo could offer the phone in Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze, and Silk White. Its design closely resembles the Vivo X300 FE. Vivo has not shared any battery details yet. However, one report suggests the Vivo S2 may pack a 7,000mAh battery. This information is still based on leaks and awaits official confirmation.

Expected Price of Vivo S2

The Vivo S2 could target India’s premium mid-range smartphone market. It might cost anywhere between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, though Vivo has not yet officially announced its pricing. Some leaks also reveal internal listing prices, but they may differ from the final retail price. On launch, the Vivo S2 will challenge the OnePlus Nord 6 and the Motorola Edge 70 Pro smartphones. It will also take on the Realme 16 Pro series and Vivo V70 FE.

#Vivo #India #Launch #Tipped #August #Design #Key #Specs #LeakedVivo">Vivo S2 India Launch Tipped for August 6: Design and Key Specs Leaked According to reports, Vivo has started preparations for launching its S series phones back in India with the release of the Vivo S2 smartphone. While Vivo hasn’t officially confirmed a release date, some reports indicate the phone could launch on August 6th, with sales expected to begin on August 11. This would mark the revival of the S series of phones in India following the debut of the Vivo S1 phone back in 2019. Reports have also given an early look at its design while revealing details about its expected specifications, color options, and launch plans. Expected Specifications and Camera Features Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will feature an OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The phone may use the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 chipset, built on a 4nm process. Reports also suggest the phone will come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants. On the camera front, the Vivo S2 is tipped to include a 50MP Sony main sensor. Some information also suggests that the phone would be capable of recording videos in 4K quality through both front and rear cameras. According to some recent leaks, the Vivo S2 would come with a sleek design. It would have a 3D curved display with narrow borders and a punch-hole selfie camera at the center of the device. On the back side, there would be a camera module in the shape of a pill with two big rings and an LED flash. Unlike many smartphones, the camera module matches the rear panel color for a more seamless finish. Vivo could offer the phone in Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze, and Silk White. Its design closely resembles the Vivo X300 FE. Vivo has not shared any battery details yet. However, one report suggests the Vivo S2 may pack a 7,000mAh battery. This information is still based on leaks and awaits official confirmation. Expected Price of Vivo S2 The Vivo S2 could target India’s premium mid-range smartphone market. It might cost anywhere between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, though Vivo has not yet officially announced its pricing. Some leaks also reveal internal listing prices, but they may differ from the final retail price. On launch, the Vivo S2 will challenge the OnePlus Nord 6 and the Motorola Edge 70 Pro smartphones. It will also take on the Realme 16 Pro series and Vivo V70 FE. #Vivo #India #Launch #Tipped #August #Design #Key #Specs #LeakedVivo

, Vivo has started preparations for launching its S series phones back in India with the release of the Vivo S2 smartphone. While Vivo hasn’t officially confirmed a release date, some reports indicate the phone could launch on August 6th, with sales expected to begin on August 11. This would mark the revival of the S series of phones in India following the debut of the Vivo S1 phone back in 2019. Reports have also given an early look at its design while revealing details about its expected specifications, color options, and launch plans.

Expected Specifications and Camera Features

Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will feature an OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The phone may use the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 chipset, built on a 4nm process. Reports also suggest the phone will come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants. On the camera front, the Vivo S2 is tipped to include a 50MP Sony main sensor. Some information also suggests that the phone would be capable of recording videos in 4K quality through both front and rear cameras.

According to some recent leaks, the Vivo S2 would come with a sleek design. It would have a 3D curved display with narrow borders and a punch-hole selfie camera at the center of the device. On the back side, there would be a camera module in the shape of a pill with two big rings and an LED flash. Unlike many smartphones, the camera module matches the rear panel color for a more seamless finish. Vivo could offer the phone in Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze, and Silk White. Its design closely resembles the Vivo X300 FE. Vivo has not shared any battery details yet. However, one report suggests the Vivo S2 may pack a 7,000mAh battery. This information is still based on leaks and awaits official confirmation.

Expected Price of Vivo S2

The Vivo S2 could target India’s premium mid-range smartphone market. It might cost anywhere between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, though Vivo has not yet officially announced its pricing. Some leaks also reveal internal listing prices, but they may differ from the final retail price. On launch, the Vivo S2 will challenge the OnePlus Nord 6 and the Motorola Edge 70 Pro smartphones. It will also take on the Realme 16 Pro series and Vivo V70 FE.

#Vivo #India #Launch #Tipped #August #Design #Key #Specs #LeakedVivo">Vivo S2 India Launch Tipped for August 6: Design and Key Specs Leaked

According to reports, Vivo has started preparations for launching its S series phones back in India with the release of the Vivo S2 smartphone. While Vivo hasn’t officially confirmed a release date, some reports indicate the phone could launch on August 6th, with sales expected to begin on August 11. This would mark the revival of the S series of phones in India following the debut of the Vivo S1 phone back in 2019. Reports have also given an early look at its design while revealing details about its expected specifications, color options, and launch plans.

Expected Specifications and Camera Features

Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will feature an OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The phone may use the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 chipset, built on a 4nm process. Reports also suggest the phone will come in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants. On the camera front, the Vivo S2 is tipped to include a 50MP Sony main sensor. Some information also suggests that the phone would be capable of recording videos in 4K quality through both front and rear cameras.

According to some recent leaks, the Vivo S2 would come with a sleek design. It would have a 3D curved display with narrow borders and a punch-hole selfie camera at the center of the device. On the back side, there would be a camera module in the shape of a pill with two big rings and an LED flash. Unlike many smartphones, the camera module matches the rear panel color for a more seamless finish. Vivo could offer the phone in Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze, and Silk White. Its design closely resembles the Vivo X300 FE. Vivo has not shared any battery details yet. However, one report suggests the Vivo S2 may pack a 7,000mAh battery. This information is still based on leaks and awaits official confirmation.

Expected Price of Vivo S2

The Vivo S2 could target India’s premium mid-range smartphone market. It might cost anywhere between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, though Vivo has not yet officially announced its pricing. Some leaks also reveal internal listing prices, but they may differ from the final retail price. On launch, the Vivo S2 will challenge the OnePlus Nord 6 and the Motorola Edge 70 Pro smartphones. It will also take on the Realme 16 Pro series and Vivo V70 FE.

#Vivo #India #Launch #Tipped #August #Design #Key #Specs #LeakedVivo

Before Denis Villeneuve came aboard as the next James Bond movie director, another intriguing project was sitting in his potential “to-do” pile: an adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen‘s 2024 book that uses extensive interviews and research to examine, minute by minute, what would happen if nuclear war broke out. Her latest book sounds very much in that same vein; it’s titled Biological War: A Scenario, and though it’s just been released today, it’s already been scooped up for adaptation.

Variety reports that Patrick Macmanus (the creator of Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) secured the rights to a television adaptation for his production company; he and Jacobsen will co-create and serve as executive producers on Biological War.

The book takes a close look at the seconds, minutes, hours, and days after the release of a microscopic agent that could bring down civilization if it’s allowed to spread across the globe. And it’s a weapon, not unlike The Stand‘s Captain Trips, so presumably the show will include a heavy government-military aspect to things as well.

“What begins with a routine day leads to the end of the world six days later,” Macmamus told Variety. “But it isn’t ultimately a nihilistic show. Yes. There’s the dark excitement and exploration of the apocalypse. But there’s a parallel story of the instinct to protect and rebuild. A celebration of community and family. The wish-fulfillment of starting the human experiment over again in the hopes of getting it right this time around.”

The Variety piece mentions the potential Villeneuve adaptation of Nuclear War, so maybe we’ll get to see that on screens eventually too. So far, there’s no streamer or network locked in for Biological War, but the trade writes “the television adaptation will be taken out to buyers in the upcoming weeks.”

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Annie #Jacobsens #Biological #War #ComingAnnie Jacobsen,Biological War">Annie Jacobsen’s ‘Biological War’ Is Coming to TV Before Denis Villeneuve came aboard as the next James Bond movie director, another intriguing project was sitting in his potential “to-do” pile: an adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen‘s 2024 book that uses extensive interviews and research to examine, minute by minute, what would happen if nuclear war broke out. Her latest book sounds very much in that same vein; it’s titled Biological War: A Scenario, and though it’s just been released today, it’s already been scooped up for adaptation. Variety reports that Patrick Macmanus (the creator of Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) secured the rights to a television adaptation for his production company; he and Jacobsen will co-create and serve as executive producers on Biological War. The book takes a close look at the seconds, minutes, hours, and days after the release of a microscopic agent that could bring down civilization if it’s allowed to spread across the globe. And it’s a weapon, not unlike The Stand‘s Captain Trips, so presumably the show will include a heavy government-military aspect to things as well. “What begins with a routine day leads to the end of the world six days later,” Macmamus told Variety. “But it isn’t ultimately a nihilistic show. Yes. There’s the dark excitement and exploration of the apocalypse. But there’s a parallel story of the instinct to protect and rebuild. A celebration of community and family. The wish-fulfillment of starting the human experiment over again in the hopes of getting it right this time around.” The Variety piece mentions the potential Villeneuve adaptation of Nuclear War, so maybe we’ll get to see that on screens eventually too. So far, there’s no streamer or network locked in for Biological War, but the trade writes “the television adaptation will be taken out to buyers in the upcoming weeks.” Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Annie #Jacobsens #Biological #War #ComingAnnie Jacobsen,Biological War

came aboard as the next James Bond movie director, another intriguing project was sitting in his potential “to-do” pile: an adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen‘s 2024 book that uses extensive interviews and research to examine, minute by minute, what would happen if nuclear war broke out. Her latest book sounds very much in that same vein; it’s titled Biological War: A Scenario, and though it’s just been released today, it’s already been scooped up for adaptation.

Variety reports that Patrick Macmanus (the creator of Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) secured the rights to a television adaptation for his production company; he and Jacobsen will co-create and serve as executive producers on Biological War.

The book takes a close look at the seconds, minutes, hours, and days after the release of a microscopic agent that could bring down civilization if it’s allowed to spread across the globe. And it’s a weapon, not unlike The Stand‘s Captain Trips, so presumably the show will include a heavy government-military aspect to things as well.

“What begins with a routine day leads to the end of the world six days later,” Macmamus told Variety. “But it isn’t ultimately a nihilistic show. Yes. There’s the dark excitement and exploration of the apocalypse. But there’s a parallel story of the instinct to protect and rebuild. A celebration of community and family. The wish-fulfillment of starting the human experiment over again in the hopes of getting it right this time around.”

The Variety piece mentions the potential Villeneuve adaptation of Nuclear War, so maybe we’ll get to see that on screens eventually too. So far, there’s no streamer or network locked in for Biological War, but the trade writes “the television adaptation will be taken out to buyers in the upcoming weeks.”

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Annie #Jacobsens #Biological #War #ComingAnnie Jacobsen,Biological War">Annie Jacobsen’s ‘Biological War’ Is Coming to TVAnnie Jacobsen’s ‘Biological War’ Is Coming to TV Before Denis Villeneuve came aboard as the next James Bond movie director, another intriguing project was sitting in his potential “to-do” pile: an adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen‘s 2024 book that uses extensive interviews and research to examine, minute by minute, what would happen if nuclear war broke out. Her latest book sounds very much in that same vein; it’s titled Biological War: A Scenario, and though it’s just been released today, it’s already been scooped up for adaptation. Variety reports that Patrick Macmanus (the creator of Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) secured the rights to a television adaptation for his production company; he and Jacobsen will co-create and serve as executive producers on Biological War. The book takes a close look at the seconds, minutes, hours, and days after the release of a microscopic agent that could bring down civilization if it’s allowed to spread across the globe. And it’s a weapon, not unlike The Stand‘s Captain Trips, so presumably the show will include a heavy government-military aspect to things as well. “What begins with a routine day leads to the end of the world six days later,” Macmamus told Variety. “But it isn’t ultimately a nihilistic show. Yes. There’s the dark excitement and exploration of the apocalypse. But there’s a parallel story of the instinct to protect and rebuild. A celebration of community and family. The wish-fulfillment of starting the human experiment over again in the hopes of getting it right this time around.” The Variety piece mentions the potential Villeneuve adaptation of Nuclear War, so maybe we’ll get to see that on screens eventually too. So far, there’s no streamer or network locked in for Biological War, but the trade writes “the television adaptation will be taken out to buyers in the upcoming weeks.” Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Annie #Jacobsens #Biological #War #ComingAnnie Jacobsen,Biological War

Before Denis Villeneuve came aboard as the next James Bond movie director, another intriguing project was sitting in his potential “to-do” pile: an adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen‘s 2024 book that uses extensive interviews and research to examine, minute by minute, what would happen if nuclear war broke out. Her latest book sounds very much in that same vein; it’s titled Biological War: A Scenario, and though it’s just been released today, it’s already been scooped up for adaptation.

Variety reports that Patrick Macmanus (the creator of Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) secured the rights to a television adaptation for his production company; he and Jacobsen will co-create and serve as executive producers on Biological War.

The book takes a close look at the seconds, minutes, hours, and days after the release of a microscopic agent that could bring down civilization if it’s allowed to spread across the globe. And it’s a weapon, not unlike The Stand‘s Captain Trips, so presumably the show will include a heavy government-military aspect to things as well.

“What begins with a routine day leads to the end of the world six days later,” Macmamus told Variety. “But it isn’t ultimately a nihilistic show. Yes. There’s the dark excitement and exploration of the apocalypse. But there’s a parallel story of the instinct to protect and rebuild. A celebration of community and family. The wish-fulfillment of starting the human experiment over again in the hopes of getting it right this time around.”

The Variety piece mentions the potential Villeneuve adaptation of Nuclear War, so maybe we’ll get to see that on screens eventually too. So far, there’s no streamer or network locked in for Biological War, but the trade writes “the television adaptation will be taken out to buyers in the upcoming weeks.”

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Annie #Jacobsens #Biological #War #ComingAnnie Jacobsen,Biological War

perhaps the most disturbing harassment campaign ever led by a giant tech company against its critics.

Back in 2020, six former eBay employees and one contractor were charged with participating in a horrifying campaign—featuring doxxing, threats, and deliveries of live pests—against David and Ina Steiner, the husband-and-wife founders of the Massachusetts-based news site EcommerceBytes. The Steiners wrote about eBay regularly, and often not in a flattering light. In 2021, the couple filed a civil suit; EBay later agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty to the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts.

Now the civil litigation case just reached a final settlement. The Steiners will receive more than $46.15 million from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, $500,000 from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer.

EBay is also giving $6 million to charity, with an additional $1 million from Wenig going to a nonprofit that protects First Amendment rights. The company is required to issue a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of the former employees who were involved.

Notably, the settlement contains no confidentiality provision, which means the Steiners can continue to speak out about the case.

“From day one, that was a dealbreaker,” says Chris Murphy, an attorney for the Steiners at the personal injury firm Scalli Murphy Law in Everett, Massachusetts. “As journalists, and as victims, the Steiners were very clear that they wanted everyone to see and understand what eBay did to them. And from day one, they were ready to go to trial over it.”

“It’s a relief in some sense that we have some finality,” David Steiner said in an interview with WIRED. “But I think that it’s going to take a while to really see what this means in the bigger context of a settlement, versus having gone to trial. We were really adamant that this type of behavior by a Fortune 500 corporation didn’t go unchecked.”

Ina Steiner underscored that the couple ultimately pursued a civil suit because they wanted to better understand the kind of culture that precipitated this harassment campaign—and that in filing the civil suit, they gained access to 68,000 documents they would not have otherwise seen. “We were often in the dark during the federal investigation, and we were told very little as victims,” she said.

Spokespersons for eBay referred WIRED to a statement published online, in which the company extended its “deepest apologies” to the Steiners, condemned the employees who “perpetrated and pled guilty to criminal charges for the misconduct against Ina and David Steiner,” and acknowledged “the unprofessional tone in internal communications demonstrated, to different degrees and number, by Mr. Wenig, Mr. Wymer, and Ms. Jones.” The company emphasized that new leadership is now in charge, and that the incidents from 2019 are “not representative of eBay’s culture or thousands of employees around the world today.”

According to the initial criminal complaints, the harassment campaign led by eBay executives and contractors unfolded over a period of two months in the summer 2019. It began with anonymous, threatening Twitter DMs to the Steiners, then quickly escalated to deliveries to the couple’s home. These deliveries included a bloody pig mask, pornography, a package of fly larvae and live spiders, and another package containing live cockroaches. Other deliveries were themed around death, including a copy of a book on grieving a spouse and a funeral wreath from a local florist. All throughout, the anonymous Twitter account continued to send harassing messages. As text messages would later reveal in court documents, those DMs and deliveries were concocted and sent by the defendants.

#Ebay #Pay #Million #Settlement #Unhinged #Harassment #Campaignebay,harassment,crime,surveillance">Ebay Has to Pay .7 Million in Settlement for Its Unhinged Harassment CampaignA civil litigation case against eBay, filed by the founders of a Massachusetts-based news site that covers ecommerce, has just been settled. The gist of it: The company and former execs have to own up to—and pay up for—perhaps the most disturbing harassment campaign ever led by a giant tech company against its critics.Back in 2020, six former eBay employees and one contractor were charged with participating in a horrifying campaign—featuring doxxing, threats, and deliveries of live pests—against David and Ina Steiner, the husband-and-wife founders of the Massachusetts-based news site EcommerceBytes. The Steiners wrote about eBay regularly, and often not in a flattering light. In 2021, the couple filed a civil suit; EBay later agreed to pay a million criminal penalty to the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts.Now the civil litigation case just reached a final settlement. The Steiners will receive more than .15 million from eBay, million from Wenig, 0,000 from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, and ,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer.EBay is also giving million to charity, with an additional million from Wenig going to a nonprofit that protects First Amendment rights. The company is required to issue a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of the former employees who were involved.Notably, the settlement contains no confidentiality provision, which means the Steiners can continue to speak out about the case.“From day one, that was a dealbreaker,” says Chris Murphy, an attorney for the Steiners at the personal injury firm Scalli Murphy Law in Everett, Massachusetts. “As journalists, and as victims, the Steiners were very clear that they wanted everyone to see and understand what eBay did to them. And from day one, they were ready to go to trial over it.”“It’s a relief in some sense that we have some finality,” David Steiner said in an interview with WIRED. “But I think that it’s going to take a while to really see what this means in the bigger context of a settlement, versus having gone to trial. We were really adamant that this type of behavior by a Fortune 500 corporation didn’t go unchecked.”Ina Steiner underscored that the couple ultimately pursued a civil suit because they wanted to better understand the kind of culture that precipitated this harassment campaign—and that in filing the civil suit, they gained access to 68,000 documents they would not have otherwise seen. “We were often in the dark during the federal investigation, and we were told very little as victims,” she said.Spokespersons for eBay referred WIRED to a statement published online, in which the company extended its “deepest apologies” to the Steiners, condemned the employees who “perpetrated and pled guilty to criminal charges for the misconduct against Ina and David Steiner,” and acknowledged “the unprofessional tone in internal communications demonstrated, to different degrees and number, by Mr. Wenig, Mr. Wymer, and Ms. Jones.” The company emphasized that new leadership is now in charge, and that the incidents from 2019 are “not representative of eBay’s culture or thousands of employees around the world today.”According to the initial criminal complaints, the harassment campaign led by eBay executives and contractors unfolded over a period of two months in the summer 2019. It began with anonymous, threatening Twitter DMs to the Steiners, then quickly escalated to deliveries to the couple’s home. These deliveries included a bloody pig mask, pornography, a package of fly larvae and live spiders, and another package containing live cockroaches. Other deliveries were themed around death, including a copy of a book on grieving a spouse and a funeral wreath from a local florist. All throughout, the anonymous Twitter account continued to send harassing messages. As text messages would later reveal in court documents, those DMs and deliveries were concocted and sent by the defendants.#Ebay #Pay #Million #Settlement #Unhinged #Harassment #Campaignebay,harassment,crime,surveillance

ever led by a giant tech company against its critics.

Back in 2020, six former eBay employees and one contractor were charged with participating in a horrifying campaign—featuring doxxing, threats, and deliveries of live pests—against David and Ina Steiner, the husband-and-wife founders of the Massachusetts-based news site EcommerceBytes. The Steiners wrote about eBay regularly, and often not in a flattering light. In 2021, the couple filed a civil suit; EBay later agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty to the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts.

Now the civil litigation case just reached a final settlement. The Steiners will receive more than $46.15 million from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, $500,000 from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer.

EBay is also giving $6 million to charity, with an additional $1 million from Wenig going to a nonprofit that protects First Amendment rights. The company is required to issue a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of the former employees who were involved.

Notably, the settlement contains no confidentiality provision, which means the Steiners can continue to speak out about the case.

“From day one, that was a dealbreaker,” says Chris Murphy, an attorney for the Steiners at the personal injury firm Scalli Murphy Law in Everett, Massachusetts. “As journalists, and as victims, the Steiners were very clear that they wanted everyone to see and understand what eBay did to them. And from day one, they were ready to go to trial over it.”

“It’s a relief in some sense that we have some finality,” David Steiner said in an interview with WIRED. “But I think that it’s going to take a while to really see what this means in the bigger context of a settlement, versus having gone to trial. We were really adamant that this type of behavior by a Fortune 500 corporation didn’t go unchecked.”

Ina Steiner underscored that the couple ultimately pursued a civil suit because they wanted to better understand the kind of culture that precipitated this harassment campaign—and that in filing the civil suit, they gained access to 68,000 documents they would not have otherwise seen. “We were often in the dark during the federal investigation, and we were told very little as victims,” she said.

Spokespersons for eBay referred WIRED to a statement published online, in which the company extended its “deepest apologies” to the Steiners, condemned the employees who “perpetrated and pled guilty to criminal charges for the misconduct against Ina and David Steiner,” and acknowledged “the unprofessional tone in internal communications demonstrated, to different degrees and number, by Mr. Wenig, Mr. Wymer, and Ms. Jones.” The company emphasized that new leadership is now in charge, and that the incidents from 2019 are “not representative of eBay’s culture or thousands of employees around the world today.”

According to the initial criminal complaints, the harassment campaign led by eBay executives and contractors unfolded over a period of two months in the summer 2019. It began with anonymous, threatening Twitter DMs to the Steiners, then quickly escalated to deliveries to the couple’s home. These deliveries included a bloody pig mask, pornography, a package of fly larvae and live spiders, and another package containing live cockroaches. Other deliveries were themed around death, including a copy of a book on grieving a spouse and a funeral wreath from a local florist. All throughout, the anonymous Twitter account continued to send harassing messages. As text messages would later reveal in court documents, those DMs and deliveries were concocted and sent by the defendants.

#Ebay #Pay #Million #Settlement #Unhinged #Harassment #Campaignebay,harassment,crime,surveillance">Ebay Has to Pay $55.7 Million in Settlement for Its Unhinged Harassment Campaign

A civil litigation case against eBay, filed by the founders of a Massachusetts-based news site that covers ecommerce, has just been settled. The gist of it: The company and former execs have to own up to—and pay up for—perhaps the most disturbing harassment campaign ever led by a giant tech company against its critics.

Back in 2020, six former eBay employees and one contractor were charged with participating in a horrifying campaign—featuring doxxing, threats, and deliveries of live pests—against David and Ina Steiner, the husband-and-wife founders of the Massachusetts-based news site EcommerceBytes. The Steiners wrote about eBay regularly, and often not in a flattering light. In 2021, the couple filed a civil suit; EBay later agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty to the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts.

Now the civil litigation case just reached a final settlement. The Steiners will receive more than $46.15 million from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, $500,000 from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer.

EBay is also giving $6 million to charity, with an additional $1 million from Wenig going to a nonprofit that protects First Amendment rights. The company is required to issue a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of the former employees who were involved.

Notably, the settlement contains no confidentiality provision, which means the Steiners can continue to speak out about the case.

“From day one, that was a dealbreaker,” says Chris Murphy, an attorney for the Steiners at the personal injury firm Scalli Murphy Law in Everett, Massachusetts. “As journalists, and as victims, the Steiners were very clear that they wanted everyone to see and understand what eBay did to them. And from day one, they were ready to go to trial over it.”

“It’s a relief in some sense that we have some finality,” David Steiner said in an interview with WIRED. “But I think that it’s going to take a while to really see what this means in the bigger context of a settlement, versus having gone to trial. We were really adamant that this type of behavior by a Fortune 500 corporation didn’t go unchecked.”

Ina Steiner underscored that the couple ultimately pursued a civil suit because they wanted to better understand the kind of culture that precipitated this harassment campaign—and that in filing the civil suit, they gained access to 68,000 documents they would not have otherwise seen. “We were often in the dark during the federal investigation, and we were told very little as victims,” she said.

Spokespersons for eBay referred WIRED to a statement published online, in which the company extended its “deepest apologies” to the Steiners, condemned the employees who “perpetrated and pled guilty to criminal charges for the misconduct against Ina and David Steiner,” and acknowledged “the unprofessional tone in internal communications demonstrated, to different degrees and number, by Mr. Wenig, Mr. Wymer, and Ms. Jones.” The company emphasized that new leadership is now in charge, and that the incidents from 2019 are “not representative of eBay’s culture or thousands of employees around the world today.”

According to the initial criminal complaints, the harassment campaign led by eBay executives and contractors unfolded over a period of two months in the summer 2019. It began with anonymous, threatening Twitter DMs to the Steiners, then quickly escalated to deliveries to the couple’s home. These deliveries included a bloody pig mask, pornography, a package of fly larvae and live spiders, and another package containing live cockroaches. Other deliveries were themed around death, including a copy of a book on grieving a spouse and a funeral wreath from a local florist. All throughout, the anonymous Twitter account continued to send harassing messages. As text messages would later reveal in court documents, those DMs and deliveries were concocted and sent by the defendants.

#Ebay #Pay #Million #Settlement #Unhinged #Harassment #Campaignebay,harassment,crime,surveillance

Post Comment

Wolfnewss | Powered By SpiceThemes