MISY 3321: Introduction to information Assurance
Section: 201
Assignment 1: eBay
Group members:
Alanood AlShehry
200900285
Maryam AlKhalifa
200801068
Outline
Introduction and history of eBay
eBay’s type of organization
The kind of information kept on eBay
eBay’s information assurance policy
Misuse of information and policy violation
Conclusion and recommendations
History of eBay
In 1995 eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar, graduate from Tufts
University.
In 1996 eBay entered into a licensing deal with Electronic Travel Auction to make
use of Smart Market Technology in selling plane tickets as well as travel products.
In 2002, eBay bought IBazar which is a European auction website established in
1995. It also bought PayPal in October.
In 2008, eBay had its worldwide expansion, hundreds of millions of users, 15,000
employees, and $7.7 billion revenue.
eBay’s Type of Organization
eBay is an online trading community that makes use of the World
Wide Web.
eBay is a consumer-to-consumer type of e-commerce
Information Kept on eBay
When one registers as a new user, the following information
will be keep:
Device ID or unique identifier
Device type
Geo-location information
Computer and connection information statistics on page views
Traffic to and from the sites
Referral URL
IP address, and standard web log information
Information Kept on eBay
When registering for an account, the following information is
required:
Email address
Phone number
mobile telephone number
Physical contact information,
Financial information, such as credit card or bank account numbers.
Shipping, billing and other information are also provided to buy or transport an item
eBay’s Information Assurance Policy
Under the security center, come the following four headings:
Protect your identity: eBay emphasizes on the importance of protecting the user’s personal information
and try to minimize the potential damage from identify theft by taking quick steps if the user’s information is
accidently disclosed or deliberately stolen.
Protect your computer: eBay explains the acts of online scammers, hackers, and identity thieves, and
how they do business by gaining access to the customers’ computer, personal information, finances, and more.
After that, the incorporation suggests a few precautions that can minimize the chances of computer mishap.
Report a problem: eBay offer customer support and ask for the help of customers by reporting spoof email
and account thefts. There are other resources that involve reporting a fraudulent listing, resolving an issue with a
buyer or seller, motors related issues or questions, PayPal related issues, and other issues that aren’t mentioned
earlier.
More resources: There are many sources of information to help you to keep your
eBay computing experience a safe one.
eBay’s Information Assurance Policy
The privacy policy:
And it consists of scope and consent, which talks about:
Global Privacy
Standards
Mobile Privacy
Children’s
Privacy
Collection of
Personal
information
Information
Sharing &
registration with
social medias
Use of personal
information
Communication
preferences
marketing
Disclosure of
your information
Information you
share on eBay
Using
information you
get from eBay
How we use cookies
No, spam,
spyware, or
spoofing
Accessing,
reviewing, and
changing your
personal
information
eBay’s Information Assurance Policy
As part of information assurance, eBay offers eBay buyer protection,
business equipment purchase protection, and seller protection.
All of these are explained by stating the issues that might happen and how eBay
is going to insure their right and protect them.
Misuse of Information and Policy Violations on eBay
Case 1: Back in 2009, Craigslist filed a law suit against eBay, because of
misuse of confidential data from Craigslist to help eBay develop a competing
online classifieds business. Craigslist claimed that eBay used its investment
to gain information to help it form a competing classified service.
Case 2: In 2006, a Paris tribunal found eBay guilty of misleading
consumers by suing misspelled versions of luxury brand Louis Vuitton as
search engine key words to redirect users to eBay website links. The tribunal
ordered eBay to pay 305,985 dollars in damages and 45,897 dollars in legal
costs incurred by Louis Vuitton.
Misuse of Information and Policy Violations on eBay
Case 3: “the auction incident”
Back in 2009, there was a post that was posted in PayPal community help
forum. The post was written by a seller who auctioned a wallet on eBay, he
was furious because of what he said was “buyer’s abuse policy” that was
applied to him. He stated that he was forced to return a purchased item….
Recommendations for eBay
The first recommendation would be for eBay to be more careful about the
matter of misusing information.
Going back to the situation that involves the auction seller and buyers,
eBay has violated one of its policies, which is the seller protection policy.
In addition, it would be best if all sellers and buyers fill in a contract
while making the purchase or before to make everything clear and legal.
References
Chukkerm8(2009). Buyers abusing "not as described" to force refund when it's really buyers remorse.
Retrieved on: 24th of February, 2013. From: https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/How-to-use-PayPalArchive/Buyers-abusing-quot-not-as-described-quot-to-force-refund-when/td-p/15414
Daily News(2009). Ex-head of eBay denies Internet giant tried to misuse secret Craigslist data.
Retrieved on: 24th of February, 2013. From: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/money/ex-head-ebay-deniesinternet-giant-misuse-secret-craigslist-data-article-1.434521
Denis, P. & Astrid Wendlandt, (2010). Paris court says Ebay misused Louis Vuitton words in search
advertising. News limited: technology. Retrieved on: February 24 th, 2013. From:
http://www.news.com.au/technology/paris-court-says-ebay-misused-louis-vuitton-words-in-searchadvertising/story-e6frfro0-1225831010244
Hof, R. (2006) The Future of eBay. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2006/05/the_future_of_e.html
The Telegraph(2011). The history of eBay. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/8451898/The-history-of-eBay.html