Biggest changeThese transactions may involve significant challenges and risks, including: • the potential that we cannot complete these transactions on our desired timeline and terms; • the loss of key customers, merchants, vendors and other key business partners of the companies we acquire, or dispose of, following and continuing after announcement of our transaction plans; • declining employee morale and retention issues affecting employees of companies that we acquire or dispose of, which may result from changes in compensation, or changes in management, reporting relationships, future prospects or the direction of the acquired or disposed business; • difficulty making new and strategic hires of new employees; • diversion of management time and a shift of focus from operating the businesses to the transaction, and, in the case of an acquisition, integration and administration; • the need to provide transition services to a disposed of company, which may result in the diversion of resources and focus; • the need to integrate new, different or more complex operations, systems (including accounting, management, information, human resource and other administrative systems), technologies, products and personnel of each acquired company, which is an inherently risky and potentially lengthy and costly process; • the inefficiencies and lack of control that may result if such integration is delayed or not implemented, and unforeseen difficulties and expenditures that may arise as a result; • the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a larger public company at companies that prior to acquisition may have lacked such controls, procedures and policies or whose controls, procedures and policies did not meet applicable legal and other standards; • risks associated with our expansion in new international markets and new areas of business; • derivative lawsuits resulting from the transaction; • anti-trust or other similar regulatory enforcements and restrictions that could delay or nullify a transaction, impose restrictions on our operations or lead to subsequent litigation; • increased costs and indebtedness associated with negotiating, financing and completing acquisitions; • exposure to regulatory regimes unfamiliar to our business, which can divert management time and company resources; • liability for activities of the acquired or disposed of company, including intellectual property, payment services and other litigation claims or disputes, violations of laws, rules and regulations, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities and, in the case of dispositions, liabilities to the acquirers of those businesses under contractual provisions such as representations, warranties and indemnities; • the potential loss of key employees following the transaction; • the acquisition of new customer and employee personal data by us or a third party acquiring assets or businesses from us, which in and of itself may require regulatory approval and or additional controls, policies and procedures and subject us to additional exposure; • any fluctuations in share prices, financial results and fluctuations in exchange rates, and our ability to sell our shares in any company we have invested in; • the possibility that we may not realize the expected benefits from such transactions within the anticipated time frame, or at all; and • our dependence on the acquired business’ accounting, financial reporting, operating metrics and systems, controls and processes and the risk that errors or irregularities in those systems, controls and processes could lead to errors in our consolidated financial statements, increase the risk of non-compliance with existing or new laws and regulations or make it more difficult to manage the acquired business. 33 Table of Contents We have made certain investments including through joint ventures and in companies in which we have a minority equity interest and/or lack management and operational control.
Biggest changeThese transactions may involve significant risks, including: • the inability to complete any transaction on our desired timeline and terms; • the loss of key customers, merchants, vendors and other key business partners; • reduced employee morale, hiring and retention issues, and the loss of key personnel due to changes in compensation, management, reporting relationships, corporate culture, and strategy following an acquisition or disposition; • diversion of management time and focus from operating our core businesses to any transaction; • difficulty in providing or obtaining necessary transition services, which may result in the diversion of resources and management focus; • the inherent difficulty and cost of integrating new, different or more complex operations, systems (including accounting, management, information, human resource and other administrative systems), technologies, products and personnel of acquired businesses; • the inefficiencies and lack of synergies that may result if integrations are delayed or not implemented, and unforeseen difficulties and expenditures that may arise as a result; • the frequent need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies of smaller acquired businesses to meet our standards, as a larger public company; • risks associated with our expansion in new markets, geographies, and areas of business with which we may be unfamiliar; • derivative lawsuits resulting from the transaction; • anti-trust or other similar regulatory enforcements and restrictions that could delay or nullify a transaction, impose restrictions on our operations or lead to subsequent litigation; • increased costs and indebtedness associated with negotiating, financing and completing acquisitions; • exposure to regulatory regimes unfamiliar to our business, which can divert management time and company resources; • liability for activities of the acquired or disposed business, including intellectual property, payment services, litigation claims or disputes, violations of laws, rules and regulations, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities, which may not be adequately covered by insurance or indemnity provisions in the underlying transaction agreements; 23 Table of Contents • regulatory approval and controls, policies and procedures requirements that may be imposed on us if we acquire or dispose of certain businesses or assets, such as businesses containing significant regulated data; • any fluctuations in share prices, financial results and fluctuations in exchange rates, and the inability to quickly liquidate investments in other businesses; • our inability to control or influence the actions of separate businesses in which we invest or form strategic partnerships or joint-ventures, and the possibility that our reputation may be harmed by a close association with a third-party bad actor; • the possibility that we may not realize the expected benefits from such transactions within the anticipated time frame, or at all; and • the risk that errors or irregularities in the systems, controls and processes of an acquired business could lead to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our consolidated financial statements.
Generally, our sellers demand that our services help them comply with complex regulatory requirements. Training our sellers and providing them the platform tools and features they need to comply with complex regulations requires substantial time and investment. We have driven consumers away from our platforms in the past where we failed to provide adequate compliance training and platform features.
Generally, our sellers demand that our services help them comply with complex regulatory requirements. Training our sellers and providing them with the platform tools and features they need to comply with complex regulations requires substantial time and investment. We have driven consumers away from our platforms in the past where we failed to provide adequate compliance training and platform features.
We have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and we may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including under our commercial paper program and revolving credit facility or through public or private offerings of debt securities.
We have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and we may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including under our commercial paper program, our revolving credit facility or through public or private offerings of debt securities.
Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may be time-consuming and costly to defend and resolve, and could require us to make expensive changes in our methods of doing business, enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements, cease conducting certain operations, or make substantial payments to satisfy adverse judgments or settle claims, any of which could harm our business.
Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may be time-consuming and costly to defend and resolve, and could require us to make expensive changes in our methods of doing business, enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements, cease conducting certain operations, or make substantial payments to satisfy adverse judgments or settle claims, any of which could materially harm our business.
We have in the past and may in the future enter into interest rate hedging arrangements, but we can provide no assurances that these arrangements will fully mitigate the increased borrowing costs. Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest-earning instruments are subject to varying levels of interest rate risk.
We have in the past entered, and may in the future enter, into interest rate hedging arrangements, but we can provide no assurances that these arrangements will fully mitigate the increased borrowing costs. Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest-earning instruments are subject to varying levels of interest rate risk.
The application of indirect taxes such as sales and use tax, value-added tax (“VAT”), goods and services tax (“GST”) (including the “digital services tax”), business tax, withholding tax and gross receipt tax, and tax information reporting obligations to businesses like ours and to our sellers and buyers is a complex and evolving issue.
The application of indirect taxes such as sales and use tax, value-added tax (“VAT”), goods and services tax (including the “digital services tax”), business tax, withholding tax and gross receipt tax, and tax information reporting obligations to businesses like ours and to our sellers and buyers is a complex and evolving issue.
Any adverse outcome of any such audit or review could harm our business, and the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.
Any adverse outcome of any such audit or review could harm our business, and the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded on our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.
Further, adapting to new and changed trade restrictions can be expensive, time-consuming and very disruptive to our buyers and sellers. For example, tariffs generally apply based on the manufacturing location, rather than the selling location, of goods. These distinctions can be confusing for our sellers and lead to platform solutions that fail to satisfy all of our consumers.
Further, adapting to new and changed trade restrictions can be expensive, time-consuming and very disruptive to our buyers and sellers. For example, tariffs generally apply based on the manufacturing location, rather than the selling location, of goods. These distinctions can be confusing for our sellers and lead to platform solutions that fail to satisfy all of our customers.
In addition, our failure to accomplish or accurately track and report on any of our stated goals, or otherwise meet evolving and varied stakeholder expectations, could adversely affect our reputation, financial performance and growth, and expose us to increased scrutiny from the investment community, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders.
Our failure to accomplish or accurately track and report on any of our stated goals, or otherwise meet evolving and varied stakeholder and regulatory expectations, could adversely affect our reputation, financial performance and growth, and expose us to increased scrutiny from the investment community, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders.
For example, the intellectual property ownership and license rights surrounding AI technologies, including Gen AI, have not been fully addressed by U.S. courts or by U.S. or international laws or regulations, and the use or adoption of third-party Gen AI technologies, and their related datasets, into our products and services may result in claims of intellectual property infringement or misappropriation, or in the inability to enforce our rights against third parties, which could in each case harm our business and financial results.
For example, the intellectual property ownership and license rights surrounding AI technologies, including Gen AI, have not been fully addressed by U.S. courts or by U.S. or international laws or 27 Table of Contents regulations, and the use or adoption of third-party Gen AI technologies, and their related datasets, into our products and services may result in claims of intellectual property infringement or misappropriation, or in the inability to enforce our rights against third parties, which could in each case harm our business and financial results.
Tax Risks Our business and our sellers and buyers may be subject to evolving sales and other tax regimes in various jurisdictions, which may harm our business.
Our business and our sellers and buyers may be subject to evolving sales and other tax regimes in various jurisdictions, which may harm our business.
If our ESG goals or performance are perceived to be inadequate or worse than those of our competitors, if we are targeted by those who disagree with our public positions on ESG issues, or if we do not otherwise successfully manage ESG-related expectations across investors and other stakeholders, it could erode stakeholder trust, impact our reputation, subject us to litigation or shareholder activism, which could adversely affect 28 Table of Contents our business and reputation.
If our ESG goals or performance are perceived to be inadequate or worse than those of our competitors, if we are targeted by those who disagree with our public positions on ESG issues, or if we do not otherwise successfully manage ESG-related expectations across investors and other stakeholders, it could erode stakeholder trust, impact our reputation, subject us to litigation or shareholder activism, which could adversely affect our business and reputation.
Any one of these outcomes could reduce the attractiveness of our Marketplace platforms to consumers, reduce our profits or otherwise harm our business and results of operations. New laws and increasing levels of regulation in the areas of privacy, protection of user data and cybersecurity could harm our business.
Any one of these outcomes could reduce the attractiveness of our Marketplace platforms to consumers, reduce our profits or otherwise harm our business and results of operations. Increasing levels of regulation in the areas of privacy, protection of user data and cybersecurity could harm our business.
The number and significance of these disputes and inquiries have increased as we have grown larger, our businesses have expanded in scope and geographic reach, and our products and services have increased in complexity. The outcome and impact of such claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty.
The number and significance of these disputes and inquiries have increased as we have grown larger, our businesses have expanded in scope and geographic reach, and our products and services have increased in complexity. 28 Table of Contents The outcome and impact of such claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty.
In addition, we and our employees, users and service providers also may not discover a cyberattack, breach or other incident for a significant period after the incident occurs, which could amplify any adverse outcomes resulting from such incidents. 22 Table of Contents We maintain cybersecurity insurance and seek to include reasonable contractual and indemnity protections in the contracts we have with our service providers.
In addition, we and our employees, users and service providers also may not discover a cyberattack, breach or other incident for a significant period after the incident occurs, which could amplify any adverse outcomes resulting from such incidents. We maintain cybersecurity insurance and seek to include reasonable contractual and indemnity protections in the contracts we have with our service providers.
In some European and Asian jurisdictions, buyers may also have the right to withdraw from a sale made by a professional seller within a specified time period.
In some European and Asian jurisdictions, buyers have the right to withdraw from a sale made by a professional seller within a specified time period.
In addition, a significant number of our users authorize us to bill their payment card accounts directly for all transactions and other fees charged by us or, in certain cases, third-party service providers utilized in our financial services. We and our service providers face a variety of cybersecurity threats and risks or inadvertent or intentional data breaches and incidents.
A significant number of our users authorize us to bill their payment card accounts directly for all transactions and other fees charged by us or, in certain cases, third-party service providers utilized in our financial services. We and our service providers face a variety of cybersecurity threats and risks or inadvertent or intentional data breaches and security events.
The results of operations of many of our internationally focused platforms are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of the applicable subsidiaries are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes.
The results of operations of many of our internationally focused platforms are exposed to foreign 31 Table of Contents exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of the applicable subsidiaries are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes.
Cybersecurity threats can take a variety of forms, including malicious software programs that attack our networks and data centers or those of our service providers, social engineering, phishing, credential stuffing, ransomware, denial or degradation of service attacks and similar types of attacks against us, our employees, users and our service providers.
Cybersecurity threats can take a variety of forms, including malicious software programs, including ransomware, that attack our networks and data centers or those of our service providers, social engineering attacks, including phishing and impersonation, attacks against our websites such as credential stuffing, denial or degradation of service attacks and similar types of attacks against us, our employees, users and our service providers.
Due to the size of our company and the volume of confidential information we possess, we are also at risk from inadvertent and intentional data disclosure, system or access misuse, unauthorized access or other improper actions by employees and service providers.
Due to the size of our company and the volume of confidential information we possess, we are also at risk from inadvertent and intentional data disclosure, system or access misuse, unauthorized access or other improper actions by employees and service providers. We provide cybersecurity training to our workforce.
Any change to the cost of buying and selling goods internationally, or even the public perception that such changes are imminent or could occur in the future, may reduce consumer confidence and the number of consumers using our platforms, drive consumers to alternative competitors or buying and selling channels and lead to a decrease in buying and selling on our platforms.
Any past or future changes to the cost of buying and selling goods internationally, or even the public perception that any such changes are imminent or could occur in the future, may reduce consumer confidence and the number of consumers using our platforms, drive consumers to alternative competitors or buying and selling 18 Table of Contents channels and lead to a decrease in buying and selling on our platforms.
While we believe we compete effectively across these factors, our competitors, including any of the businesses, channels and buying and selling alternatives discussed above, may be more successful across these factors either globally or in important local markets, which could reduce the number of buyers and sellers on our Marketplace platforms, and materially adversely affect our results of operations and business.
While we believe we compete effectively across these factors, our competitors, including any of the businesses, channels and buying and selling alternatives discussed below, may be more successful across these factors either globally or in important geographies, which would reduce the number of buyers and sellers on our Marketplace platforms and could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Trademark, copyright, patent, domain name, trade dress and trade secret protections are very expensive to maintain and may require litigation. Patent protection may not be available or obtainable for our proprietary rights, or patent applications may not issue.
Trademark, copyright, patent, domain name, trade dress and trade secret protections are very expensive to maintain and may require litigation. Patent protection may not be available or obtainable for our proprietary rights, particularly with respect to software, or patent applications may not issue.
We are regularly subject to claims, lawsuits (including class actions and individual lawsuits), government investigations, enforcement actions and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, accessibility claims, securities, tax, labor and employment, sanctions, compliance, money transmission, financial services, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, services and other matters.
We are also regularly subject to claims, lawsuits (including class actions and individual lawsuits), government investigations, enforcement actions and other proceedings involving antitrust and unfair competition or commercial practices, privacy, consumer protection, accessibility claims, securities, tax, labor and employment, sanctions, compliance, money transmission, financial services, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, services and other matters.
Our information technology and infrastructure have at times been, and may in the future be, vulnerable to cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks, or security incidents and third parties may be able to access our employee and user data, including payment and financial data, that are stored on or accessible through our systems.
We expect cyberattacks utilizing AI to continue and evolve. Our information technology and infrastructure have at times been, and may in the future be, vulnerable to cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks, or security incidents and third parties may be able to access our employee and user data, including payment and financial data, that are stored on or accessible through our systems.
For example, a cyberattack on a key service provider, or a vulnerability in software that they use, could disrupt our services or compromise user and employee data entrusted to that service provider.
For example, a cyberattack on a key service provider, or a vulnerability in software that they use, could disrupt our services or compromise user and employee data 21 Table of Contents entrusted to that service provider.
For example, the European Union’s comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act (“EU AI Act”), which lays out the parameters for AI systems where non-compliance can result in fines up to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover, came into force in August 2024. AI regulation is also expanding in the United States.
For example, the European Union’s comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act (“EU AI Act”), which lays out the parameters for AI systems where non-compliance can result in fines up to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover, came into force in August 2024.
In addition, the DSA imposes legal obligations on online marketplaces operating in Europe, requiring them to verify the identity of business sellers and make best efforts to assess proper disclosure by traders of required information, as well as information on the safety and authenticity of products posted by third-party merchants.
In recent years, the DSA has imposed legal obligations on online marketplaces operating in Europe, requiring them to verify the identity of business sellers and make best efforts to assess proper disclosure by traders of required information, as well as information on the safety and authenticity of products posted by third-party merchants.
If our share-based or other compensation programs cease to be viewed as competitive, including due to fluctuations in our stock price, or our workplace is not viewed as welcoming, our ability to attract, retain, and motivate employees could be weakened, which could harm our business.
If our compensation programs are not viewed as competitive, including due to fluctuations in our stock price, or our workplace is not viewed as welcoming, our ability to attract, retain, and motivate employees could be weakened, which could harm our business.
Any of the foregoing could disrupt our ability to offer our products and harm our business, revenue and financial results. These or other intellectual property claims may be brought directly against us and/or against our customers whom we may indemnify either because we are contractually obligated to or because we choose to do so as a business matter.
Any of the foregoing could disrupt our ability to offer our products, delay innovation, or materially harm our business, operating results and financial results. Intellectual property claims may be brought directly against us and/or against our customers whom we may indemnify either because we are contractually obligated to or because we choose to do so as a business matter.
Our business is primarily non-unionized, but we have some works councils outside the United States and have seen some unionization amongst the employees of one of our subsidiaries in the United States The unionization or related activism of significant employee populations, including 23 Table of Contents in the United States, could result in higher costs and other operational changes necessary to respond to changing conditions and to establish new relationships with worker representatives.
Our business is primarily non-unionized, but we have some works councils outside the United States. The unionization or related activism of significant employee populations, including in the United States, could result in higher costs and other operational changes necessary to respond to changing conditions and to establish new relationships with worker representatives.
We believe we are protected from such claims because the statutes and common law theories under which they are brought do not apply to our business model and/or because we are protected from liability under various laws, including 47 U.S.C. § 230 in the United States, the hosting defense under Art. 6 DSA in the EU and Reg.19 of the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 in the United Kingdom.
We believe we are protected from many of these claims because the statutes and common law theories under which they are brought have not been conclusively applied to our business model and/or because we are protected from liability under various laws, including 47 U.S.C. § 230 in the United States, the hosting defense under Art. 6 DSA in the EU and Reg.19 of the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, future fixed-rate indebtedness may still be more expensive than the existing fixed- 30 Table of Contents rate debt that is coming due and being refinanced.
Furthermore, future fixed-rate indebtedness may still be more expensive than the existing fixed-rate debt that is coming due and being refinanced.
Moreover, any failure by us to prepare for and comply with this and similar reporting and record-keeping obligations could result in substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions, adversely impact our ability to do business in certain jurisdictions and harm our business.
Moreover, any failure by us to prepare for and comply with these and similar reporting and record-keeping obligations could result in substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions, adversely impacting our ability to do business in certain jurisdictions and harming our business.
We are subject to laws and regulations affecting our domestic and international operations in a number of areas, including consumer protection, data privacy and data security requirements; responsible AI requirements; intellectual property ownership and infringement; goods that are stolen, counterfeit, unsafe or otherwise prohibited by eBay policies; tax; antitrust and anti-competition; import and export requirements and restrictions; anti-corruption; labor and employment; advertising; digital content; real estate; payments and financial services; billing; ecommerce/marketplace or online platform liability; promotions; quality of services; telecommunications; distribution and transportation; mobile communications and media; environmental packaging and waste and climate-related regulation; energy consumption; health and safety regulations; accessibility; and laws and regulations intended to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.
We are subject to laws and regulations affecting our operations in a number of areas, including consumer protection; data privacy and data security; responsible AI; intellectual property ownership and infringement; stolen, counterfeit, unsafe or otherwise prohibited goods; corporate and consumer taxes; antitrust and unfair competition or commercial practices; import and export restrictions; anti-corruption; labor and employment; advertising; digital content; real estate; payments and financial services; billing; ecommerce/marketplace or online platform liability; promotions; quality of services; telecommunications; distribution and transportation; mobile communications and media; environmental packaging and waste; climate-related regulation; energy consumption; health and safety; accessibility; and antibribery, money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and globally that were not designed for Internet businesses and online commerce. It is not always clear how these laws and regulations, which govern a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, or that apply to our business.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and globally that were not designed for Internet businesses and online commerce. It is not always clear whether and how these laws and regulations apply to our business.
If we are unable to effectively manage the authentication process, including the third-party service providers on which we rely for a significant volume of our item authentication, or if our buyers and sellers do not value these processes, we may suffer harm to our reputation and may be subject to litigation, which could be costly and time consuming for us and harm our business.
If we are unable to effectively manage the authentication process, including the third-party service providers on which we rely for a portion of our item authentication, or if our buyers and sellers do not value these processes, customers may lose trust in our Marketplace platforms, and we may suffer harm to our reputation and even be subject to litigation, which could be costly and time consuming for us and harm our business.
Our outstanding indebtedness and any additional indebtedness we incur may have significant consequences, including, without limitation, any of the following: • requiring us to use a significant portion of our cash flow from operations and other available cash to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, and acquisitions; • our indebtedness and leverage may increase our vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures, and to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions; • adverse changes in the ratings assigned to our debt securities by credit rating agencies will likely increase our borrowing costs; • our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends or other general corporate and other purposes may be limited; and • our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry may be limited.
Our outstanding indebtedness, and any additional indebtedness that we may incur, could have a material adverse effect on our business including: • requiring us to use a significant portion of our cash flow from operations and other available cash to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, and acquisitions; • increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures, and to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions; • adverse changes in the ratings assigned to our debt securities by credit rating agencies would likely increase our borrowing costs; • limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends or other general corporate and other purposes; and • limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry.
In a number of circumstances, third parties, including government regulators and law enforcement officials, have alleged that our services aid and abet violations of certain laws, including laws regarding the sale of counterfeit items, laws restricting or prohibiting the transferability (and by extension, the resale) of digital goods (e.g., books, music and software), the fencing of stolen goods, selective distribution channel laws, customs laws, distance selling laws, and the sale of items outside of the United States that are regulated by U.S. export controls.
Other third parties, including government regulators and law enforcement officials, have, at times, alleged that our services aid and abet violations of laws regarding the sale of counterfeit items, laws restricting or prohibiting the transferability (and by extension, the resale) of digital goods (e.g., books, music and software), the fencing of stolen goods, recalled item laws, selective distribution channel laws, customs laws, distance selling laws, and the sale of items outside of the U.S. that are regulated by U.S. export controls.
To date, 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have enacted Internet sales tax legislation with additional states anticipated to adopt legislation in the coming years. Our business is also required to increase payments reporting requirements for U.S. sellers as a result of federal legislation.
To date, 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have enacted Internet sales tax legislation with additional states anticipated to adopt legislation in the coming years. Our business is also subject to federal information reporting requirements for U.S. sellers.
If current and future AI technologies do not send referrals to eBay at the rate of traditional search engines for any reason, the amount of buyer and seller traffic using our platforms could decrease, which could negatively impact on our business and results of operations.
If AI technologies do not send referrals to eBay at the rate of traditional search engines for any reason, consumer traffic on our platforms could decrease, which would negatively impact on our business and results of operations.
Additionally, legal or regulatory developments relating to immigration could affect our ability to attract, hire and retain personnel. We do not have long-term employment agreements with any of our key employees and do not maintain any “key person” life insurance policies outside of policies we may assume as part of an acquisition.
Legal or regulatory developments in any geography where we operate that restrict immigration could affect our ability to attract, retain and motivate personnel. We do not have long-term employment agreements with any of our key employees and do not maintain any “key person” life insurance policies outside of policies we may assume as part of an acquisition.
Regulatory and Legal Risks Our business is subject to extensive and increasing government regulation and oversight, which could adversely impact our business.
Regulatory and Legal Risks We are subject to extensive and increasing regulation and oversight, which could adversely impact our business.
In addition, domestic or international shipping and postal rate increases may reduce the competitiveness of certain sellers’ offerings, and postal service changes and disruptions could require certain sellers to utilize alternatives which could be more expensive, slower or inconvenient, which could in turn decrease the number of transactions on our sites, thereby harming our business.
For example, domestic or international shipping and postal rate increases may reduce the competitiveness of certain sellers’ offerings, and postal service changes and disruptions could require certain sellers to utilize alternatives which could be more expensive, slower or inconvenient, which could in turn decrease the number of transactions on our sites, negatively impacting our results of operations.
Our systems are also subject to compromise, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism. Some of our systems are not fully redundant and our disaster recovery planning is not sufficient for all eventualities.
Our systems are also subject to compromise, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism. Some of our systems are not fully redundant and our disaster recovery planning can never be sufficient to cover all eventualities.
We have outsourced certain functions to third-party providers, including some customer support, payments and financial services, product development functions and some of our item authentication services, which are critical to our operations. If our service providers do not perform satisfactorily, our operations could be disrupted, which could result in user dissatisfaction and could harm our business.
We have outsourced certain important functions that are critical to our operations to third-party providers, including some customer support, payments and financial services, product development functions, and certain authentication services. If our service providers do not perform satisfactorily, our operations could be disrupted and user satisfaction could decrease, which could materially harm our business.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which could negatively impact our financial results. Because we generate approximately half of our net revenues outside the United States but report our financial results in U.S. dollars, our financial results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, or foreign exchange rates.
Because we generate nearly half of our net revenues outside the United States but report our financial results in U.S. dollars, our financial results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, or foreign exchange rates.
Our operating and financial results have varied on a quarterly basis during our operating history and may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the following risks and other risks set forth in this “Risk Factors” section: • our ability to convert visits into sales for our sellers; • the amount and timing of expenses; • our success in attracting and retaining sellers and buyers; • changes in consumer confidence and discretionary spending trends, including shifts in interests away from any of our major categories; • our success in executing on our strategy and the impact of any changes in our strategy; • the timing and success of product launches, including new services and features we may introduce; • the success of our marketing efforts; and • the impact of competitive and industry developments, including changes in the legal and regulatory landscape, and our response to those developments.
Our operating and financial results have significantly varied on a quarterly basis throughout our operating history, and we expect our results to continue to fluctuate significantly for a variety of reasons, including all of the risks described in “Risk Factors,” including the following: • our success in attracting and retaining sellers and buyers; • changes in consumer confidence and discretionary spending trends, including shifts in interests away from any of our major focus categories; • the success of our marketing efforts; • the impact of competition on our business and industry; • our ability to convert visits into sales for our sellers; • our success in executing on our strategy and the impact of any changes in our strategy; • the timing and success of product launches, including new services and features we may introduce; • the amount and timing of expenses; and • changes in the geopolitical, legal and regulatory landscape, and our response to those developments.
In most cases, we are entitled to 31 Table of Contents reclaim this input VAT from the various countries. However, because of our unique business model, the application of the laws and rules that allow such reclamation is sometimes uncertain. A successful assertion by one or more countries that we are not entitled to reclaim VAT could harm our business.
However, because of our unique business model, the application of the laws and rules that allow such reclamation is sometimes uncertain. A successful assertion by one or more countries that we are not entitled to reclaim VAT could harm our business.
Any such restructuring plans, reductions in force or other cost-cutting measures could divert management attention, adversely affect employee morale and turnover, and damage our reputation as an employer, which could increase the difficulty of attracting, retaining and motivating qualified personnel and maintaining our corporate culture.
Any such plans could divert management attention, adversely affect employee morale and turnover, and damage our reputation as an employer, which could increase the difficulty of attracting, retaining and motivating qualified personnel and maintaining our corporate culture.
We also rely on facilities, components and services supplied by third parties and our business may be materially adversely affected to the extent these components or services do not meet our expectations or these third parties cease to provide the services or facilities.
We also rely on facilities, components and services supplied by third parties and our business may be materially adversely affected to the extent third party facilities, components or services suffer a business interruption or otherwise do not meet our expectations.
However, this does not guarantee that we cannot experience losses from such claims. For example, pursuant to our 2024 settlement agreement with the DOJ, we paid $59 million and agreed to implement enhanced processes regarding our monitoring of listings that violate our terms of service to fully resolve the DOJ’s allegations of noncompliance with the Controlled Substances Act.
For example, pursuant to our 2024 settlement agreement with the DOJ, we paid $59 million and agreed to implement enhanced processes regarding our monitoring of listings that violate our terms of service to fully resolve the DOJ’s allegations of noncompliance with the Controlled Substances Act.
By way of example, numerous U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions, including California, have regulations regarding “auctions” and the handling of property by “secondhand dealers” or “pawnbrokers.” Several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted to impose such regulations upon us or our users, and others may attempt to do so in the future.
For example, numerous U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions, including California, have regulations regarding “auctions” and the handling of property by “secondhand dealers” or “pawnbrokers.” Several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted to apply these regulations to our business and our customers, and others may attempt to do so in the future.
There is little legal precedent or guidance governing the interpretation of the terms of some open-source licenses, so the potential impact of these terms on our business is uncertain and enforcement of these terms may result in unanticipated obligations or restrictions regarding our products or services.
There is little legal precedent or authoritative guidance governing the interpretation of the terms of some open-source licenses (especially as applied to new technological contexts), so the potential impact of these terms on our business is uncertain and enforcement of these terms, or other compliance actions, may result in unanticipated obligations or restrictions regarding our products or services.
However, the amounts, if any, that we recover under an insurance policy or service provider contract may not be sufficient to adequately reimburse us from cybersecurity and data breach liabilities and losses, and the reputational damage to our business that such incidents cause.
However, the amounts, if any, that we recover under an insurance policy or service provider contract may not be sufficient to adequately reimburse us from cybersecurity and data breach liabilities and losses, and the reputational damage to our business that such incidents cause. Our success largely depends on attracting, retaining, and developing our senior managers and other key employees.
We may be exposed to claims and liabilities as a result of the Distribution of PayPal. We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to govern the Distribution and the relationship of the two companies. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal.
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to govern the Distribution and the relationship of the two companies. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal. The indemnity rights we have against PayPal under the agreements may not be sufficient to protect us.
Our international operations and engagement in cross-border trade are subject to risks, which could harm our business. Our international businesses, especially in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, and cross-border business from greater China, have generated approximately half of our net revenues in recent years.
Our international operations subject us to various uncertainties, costs and risks, which could harm our business. Our international businesses, especially in the United Kingdom and Germany, and in cross-border sales from Greater China, have generated nearly half of our net revenues in recent years.
We are a defendant in various patent suits and we are likely to be named as a defendant in other patent suits, or other intellectual property suits, in the future. These claims involve various aspects of our business as our products and services continue to expand in scope and complexity.
For example, we have repeatedly been sued for alleged patent infringement, we are a defendant in various patent suits, and we expect to be named as a defendant in other intellectual property suits in the future. These claims involve various aspects of our business as our products and services continue to expand in scope and complexity.
While we can, in some cases, suspend the accounts of users who fail to fulfill their obligations to other users, we do not always have the ability to require users to make payment (such as when a payment method on file fails) or deliver goods, or otherwise make users whole other than through our protection programs.
While we can, in some cases, suspend the accounts of users who fail to fulfill their obligations to other users, we cannot always require users to make payment (such as when a payment method on file fails) or deliver goods.
For example, we regularly train our workforce, upskill teams that handle sensitive data, and carry out bespoke trainings and tabletop exercises for leaders. We have also implemented policy, procedural, technical, physical and administrative controls intended to protect our systems from such incidents. However, no training or program can offer absolute protection against such attacks and incidents.
For example, we regularly train our workforce, upskill teams that handle sensitive data, and carry out bespoke trainings and tabletop exercises for our employees, including our leaders. We have also implemented policy, procedural, technical, physical and administrative security controls intended to protect our systems from such incidents.
In view of the rapidly evolving nature of our business, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, and you should not rely upon them as an indication of future performance.
In view of the rapidly evolving nature of our business and the factors discussed above, period-to-period comparisons of our operating and financial results may not be meaningful, and you should not rely upon them as an indication of future performance. We face intense competition that may materially harm our business.
We rely on third-party service providers to perform services, including, among others credit card processing, payment disbursements, currency exchange, identity verification, sanctions screening, and fraud analysis and detection. As a result, we are subject to a number of risks related to our dependence on third- party service providers.
We rely on third-party service providers to perform services, including, among others, credit card processing, payment disbursements, currency exchange, identity verification, sanctions screening, and fraud analysis and detection.
We are subject to multiple laws relating to the collection, use, sharing, retention, deletion, security, transfer and other handling of personal data about individuals, including our users and employees around the world. Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity laws may differ, and be interpreted and applied inconsistently, from country to country.
We are subject to complex laws that frequently change relating to data protection, privacy, cybersecurity and the collection, use, sharing, retention, deletion, security, transfer and other handling of personal data all around the world. These laws may differ, and be interpreted and applied inconsistently, from country to country.
In particular, because of the enormous number of emails, texts and other communications we send to our users, communications laws that provide a specified monetary damage award or fine for each violation could result in particularly large awards or fines.
Because of the enormous number of emails, texts and other communications we send to our users, communications laws that provide a specified monetary damage award or fine for each violation could result in particularly large awards or fines. In addition, our success depends in part on our ability to collect and use data relating to merchants, consumers, and other individuals.
If we fail, for any reason, to receive sufficient AI referrals to our Marketplace platforms, to acquire, develop or license AI technology capabilities, to utilize our proprietary datasets effectively, or to provide our buyers and sellers the AI features that matter to them, our buyers and sellers or both may choose alternatives to eBay, which could reduce our platform traffic or profits or both, and harm our business.
If we fail for any reason to receive sufficient AI referrals to our platforms, or to build, license or acquire the AI technology capabilities that matter to our buyers and sellers, our buyers and sellers or both may choose alternatives to eBay, which could reduce our platform traffic and materially harm our business and results of operations.
Our future performance depends substantially on the continued services of our senior management and other key employees, including highly skilled engineers and product developers, and our ability to attract, retain, and motivate them.
Our future performance depends substantially on our ability to attract, retain and motivate our senior management and other key employees, including highly skilled engineers, product developers, and AI technologists. The loss of the services of, or our inability to attract highly qualified, senior management and other key employees, could harm our business.
We have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but there can be no assurance that our customers, employees, contractors, or agents will not violate such laws and regulations or our policies and procedures.
We have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but there can be no assurance that our customers, employees, contractors, or agents will not violate any of the laws and regulations to which we or they may become subject, or our policies and procedures, as our operations expand and evolve.
In addition, we may be subject to multiple overlapping legal or regulatory regimes that impose conflicting requirements on us (e.g., in cross-border trade).
In addition, we may be subject to multiple overlapping legal or regulatory regimes that impose conflicting requirements on our business.
Regardless of any outcome, such efforts and investigations can have a material adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, public perception, loss of consumers on our platforms and other similar factors. Government regulators globally are also imposing new data reporting requirements on platforms for user tax compliance.
Regardless of any outcome, such efforts and investigations can have a material adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, public perception, loss of consumers on our platforms and other similar factors.
If our compliance program and internal controls to limit such illegal activity are ineffective, government authorities could bring legal action against us or otherwise suspend our ability to offer payments or financial services in one or more markets.
If our compliance program and internal controls to limit such illegal activity are 20 Table of Contents ineffective, government authorities could bring legal action against us or otherwise suspend our ability to offer payments or financial services in one or more markets, which would materially harm our business. We are subject to significant fraud risk on our platforms.
The European Union has also adopted certain additional regulations relating to the safety and sustainability of products on its markets, which bring new obligations both on us directly and our sellers and vendors.
In the UK, the DMCCA expands regulatory oversight authority over consumer protections. The EU has also adopted certain additional regulations relating to the safety and sustainability of products on its markets, which bring new obligations both on us directly and our sellers and vendors.
Although as of December 31, 2024 we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, our revolving credit facility is subject to floating interest rates and therefore is also subject to interest rate risks to the extent we borrow in the future.
While we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2025, this credit facility is subject to floating interest rates and accordingly would subject us to interest rate risks in the event we borrow under it in the future.
Such claims may be brought directly or indirectly against us and/or against our customers (who may be entitled to contractual indemnification under their contracts with us), 20 Table of Contents and we are subject to increased exposure to such claims as a result of our acquisitions and divestitures or where we are entering new lines of business.
Such claims may be brought directly or indirectly against us and/or against our customers (who may be entitled to contractual indemnification under their contracts with us), and we face increased exposure to such claims as we enter new lines of business or acquire businesses.
In many cases, these laws apply not only to user data, employee data and third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between or among ourselves, our subsidiaries, and other parties with which we have commercial relations. These laws continue to develop around the globe and in ways we cannot predict and that may harm our business.
In many cases, these laws apply not only to user data, employee data and third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us, our subsidiaries, and other parties with which we have commercial relations.
If one or more matters were resolved against us in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the impact on our operating results or financial condition for that reporting period could be material.
Determining reserves for our pending litigation and other proceedings is a complex, fact-intensive process that is subject to judgment calls. If one or more matters were resolved against us in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the impact on our operating results or financial condition for that reporting period could be material.
Our alleged failure to comply with foreign laws could subject us to penalties ranging from criminal prosecution to significant fines to bans on our services, in addition to the significant costs we may incur in defending against such actions.
Any alleged failure to comply could subject us to penalties ranging from criminal prosecution, to significant fines, to bans on our services, in addition to the significant costs we may incur in defending against such actions, any of which could materially damage our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
We seek to protect our intellectual property rights by relying on applicable laws and regulations in the United States and internationally, as well as a variety of administrative procedures.
We believe the protection of our intellectual property, including our trademarks, patents, copyrights, domain names, trade dress, and trade secrets, is important to our success. We seek to protect our intellectual property rights by relying on applicable laws and regulations in the United States and internationally, as well as a variety of administrative procedures.
These laws (e.g., the Directive on Administrative Cooperating Council Directive (EU) 2021/514 (“DAC 7”) in the European Union and the Digital Sales Reporting Legislation (“DSR”) in the United Kingdom) may make users more reluctant to use our services due to increased sensitivity around personal data collection and reporting (e.g., the requirement to report certain payment transactions on Form 1099-K in the United States), even when mandated by applicable laws and regulations.
These laws (e.g., the Directive on Administrative Cooperating Council Directive (EU) 2021/514 (“DAC 7”) in the EU and the Digital Sales Reporting Legislation (“DSR”) in the United Kingdom) may make users more reluctant to use our services due to increased sensitivity around personal data collection and reporting (e.g., the requirement to report Chinese sellers’ identity and income information to the competent China tax authority in accordance with the Regulations on Internet Platform Companies’ Submission of Tax-related Information), even when mandated by applicable laws and regulations.
Our systems may experience service interruptions or degradation due to hardware and software defects or malfunctions, computer denial-of-service and other cyberattacks, human error, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, natural disasters, sustained drought, power losses, disruptions in telecommunications services, fraud, military or political conflicts, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, or other events.
These events can occur for many reasons, including hardware and software defects or malfunctions, cyberattacks such as denial-of-service, credential stuffing, and other types of attacks, human error, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, natural disasters, sustained drought, power losses, disruptions in telecommunications services, fraud, military or political conflicts, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, or other events.
In addition, we have announced restructuring plans that include workforce reductions in the past, such as our announcement in, January 2024, and we may make similar announcements in the future.
In addition, from time to time we have announced restructuring plans that include workforce reductions, and we may make similar announcements in the future.