eBay

California
Retailing, Software and Services

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

eBay limited the sale of legal firearm components and has removed Dr. Seuss' books from its site due to "offensive imagery," while other offensive and violent material has been sold using eBay's platform. eBay vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. eBay discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving and supports the Equality Act. For these reasons, eBay receives a High Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1)(2). In 2022, eBay banned users from reselling six Dr. Seuss books that had recently been pulled from publication due to “offensive” imagery, although it has allowed the sale of several overtly racist and/or anti-Semitic works as well as a Black Lives Matter-supporting T-shirt that depicts a police officer being executed (3)(4).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay will not match employee donations to churches or religious organizations “Religious organizations, except when the activities being sponsored by a religious organization are non sectarian, such as soup kitchens or shelters. (1)(2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1)(2).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay is a member of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act (1). In 2016, eBay signed the HRC’s amicus brief that voiced opposition to North Carolina’s HB2 bill (2). Then-CEO Devin Wenig sent out a large, thinly-veiled denunciation of Trump to all staff in the form of a memo after his victory in the 2016 election (3). Current CEO Jamie Iannone has been a vocal proponent of the Black Lives Matter movement (4). eBay’s Human Rights Policy Statement declares that the company “stands against legislation that opposes (LGBTQ) rights” (5). In 2007, eBay banned the sale of many firearm components that are legal for purchase in most states and has made the guidelines stricter as time has gone on (6).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). The company has contributed funds to Planned Parenthood (3). eBay has pledged support to Black Lives Matter and related causes (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

eBay has not used its PAC donations or lobbied for ideological purposes (1)(2).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 28, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
6/21/23GovernanceJohn CheveddenGive the Owners of 10% of Common Stock the Power to Call a Special Shareholder MeetingAgainst47.40%
6/8/22GovernanceJohn CheveddenSpecial Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10%Against48.88%
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