Have you read eBay's User Agreement and Privacy Policy? http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/user-agreement.htm l http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/privacy-policy.html eBay

You're not alone. Most people don't read them as they are too long or they find they are complicated (Brader, 2008). No

eBay (2009) states that "Before you may become a member of our Site you must read, agree with and accept all of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and eBay's policies, including its Privacy Policy (the "Policies"). These Policies change from time to time, and you agree that they form part of this Agreement." But

you can risk suspension, termination or restriction of your membership (eBay, 2009) which can be detrimental if you are a seller and run a business. If you don't obey eBay's rules

prohibited from opening up another eBay account. You will also be

to open another account after suspension, but have failed as eBay cross reference your information with your details they have on file such as your address, phone number, email address, credit card details and IP address (Aspkin, 2006). Many have tried

and every new account that you set up will also be suspended. Even family members or friends signed up at the same address are also at risk of having their accounts suspended for being associated with an unregistered user (Aspikin, 2006). You are flagged as a suspended user

So, do eBay have the right to collect and keep this information on file?

Because you agreed to eBay storing and processing your information when you signed up (eff, n/d). Yes!

to ensure safe trading on the website and to make sure the user agreement is being followed. It also uses it to resolve disputes and identify problems with users that have multiple user identities (eBay, 2009). eBay use this information

eBay (2009) states that "We may also share your information with our parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and joint ventures to help coordinate the services we provide to you, enforce our terms and conditions, prevent fraud and promote trust and safety and allow eBay and these related companies to provide better customer service to joint customers." and if you read the privacy policy carefully

that eBay can use your personal information to help improve marketing and promotion, and to analyse website usage (eBay, 2009). You also agree

to contact you by phone, mail or email and deliver information to you that is targeted at your interests. If you do not wish to receive this information you can choose to opt out on your preferences page. They also have the right

"although we use industry standard practices to protect your privacy, we cannot and do not guarantee, and you should not expect, that your personal information or private communications will always remain private." eBay (2009) also state that

sell or disclose any information to a third party without your permission. though they will not

just by using eBay they can collect information on your usage and disclose this to advertisers. They can only give this information out without using any details that can confirm your identity. however

is the use of your personal details in a transaction between a buyer and a seller. Your personal details such as address, phone number and email address are exchanged and eBay cannot guarantee your privacy once a transaction takes place. but something that eBay has no control over

use a PO Box where possible, a mobile phone number and a separate email address primarily for eBay use (eBay, 2009). to protect yourself during and after a transaction

always check the users feedback and ratings. to protect yourself before a transaction

but how do you know if an eBay account has been hijacked?

are accounts that have been compromised by hackers and the users identity has been stolen and used to scam unsuspecting buyers (Tietz, 2005). hijacked accounts

are smart and target user names with 100% feedback so that they look like reliable sellers. the hackers

make sure that you read and follow the user agreement or risk being suspended. Be aware that the information you disclose can be used by eBay and anything that you do on their website can be watched and the information collected. And to be aware of trading safely at all times. so when using eBay

Aspkin. (2009). Final eBay suspension/Account Suspension Guide. Retreived October 17, 2009, from http://www.aspkin.com/final-ebay-suspension-suspended-account-guide/ Brader. C. 2008. How to Understand End User License Agreements. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from http://www.online-tech-tips.com/it-in-life/end-user-license-agreement-eula / eBay. (2009). User Agreement. Retrieved October 17, 2009, fr om http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/user-agreement. html eBay. (2009). Privacy Policy. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/privacy-poli cy.html References

eff. (n/d). eBay User Agreement. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from http://www.tosback.org/version.php?vid=342 Tietz, J. (2005). Hackers Hijack eBay Accounts. Retrieved October 17, 2009, f rom http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,391774,00 .html References (cont)