eBay scans and filters messages you send to other users through its platform messaging system, meaning your private communications on eBay are not fully private.
This analysis describes what eBay's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Users may not realize that messages sent through eBay's messaging system are subject to automated review, which has implications for the expectation of confidentiality in buyer-seller communications.
Interpretive note: The full scope, purpose, and retention duration of message filtering is not detailed in the available document excerpt, creating ambiguity about the extent of this practice.
eBay's updated privacy notice now provides more structured and detailed information about what personal data it collects, why it processes that data, and how it handles cross-border transfers. The addition of explicit data protection officer contact information and a clear table of contents makes the privacy framework more accessible and transparent. You can review the new notice to understand what data categories eBay collects and contact the designated data protection officer with privacy concerns.
View change record →Any message you send to another eBay user through the platform's messaging tools may be filtered or scanned by eBay, potentially for fraud detection, policy enforcement, or other purposes. This means communications you consider private may be reviewed or logged by eBay.
How other platforms handle this
It also means we are unable to provide any information about messages in your Revolut Messenger even if you ask us for it.
If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.
When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.
"Content that you share with other users through our messaging tools (see Filtering of messages sent via our messaging tools under section 11. Other important information regarding data protection for more information).Excerpt from eBay's Privacy Notice
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision may require evaluation under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) in the United States, which governs interception of electronic communications, as well as under ePrivacy Directive requirements in the EU and …
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Ad personalization controls removed. Contact scanning added. Advertiser data partnerships quietly dropped. A timeline of every change.
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Users may not realize that messages sent through eBay's messaging system are subject to automated review, which has implications for the expectation of confidentiality in buyer-seller communications.
Any message you send to another eBay user through the platform's messaging tools may be filtered or scanned by eBay, potentially for fraud detection, policy enforcement, or other purposes. This means communications you consider private may be reviewed or logged by eBay.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
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