Some of eBay’s most important trust and safety work happens behind the scenes, where experienced investigators, platform policies, detection tools, and trusted law enforcement relationships come together to help prevent offenders from misusing online marketplaces.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office recently recognized Zach Hayes, an investigator on eBay’s Criminal and Regulatory Investigations team, for his support in ghost gun investigations and prosecutions in New York City.
“The Office recognizes eBay, particularly Zach Hayes, for its outstanding partnership in our efforts to combat the proliferation of 3D-printed firearms in New York City,” a statement from the Ghost Gun Initiative in partnership with the NYPD read. “Zach and eBay’s collaboration has been instrumental in helping our Office dismantle ghost gun manufacturing operations and hold bad actors accountable by removing illegal firearms and firearm components online.”
eBay’s proactive and willing support, the statement also said, “enhances public safety and reduces the flow of dangerous guns into our communities.”
For Hayes, the recognition is a sign that he and his colleagues’ diligence is paying off. “I really appreciate the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD taking the time to recognize this work,” Hayes said. “Their partnership has been outstanding, and I’m proud to support investigations that help address the serious threat posed by illegal firearms and ghost guns.”
Hayes continued: “At eBay, we take our responsibility seriously, and I’m grateful to be part of a team committed to keeping prohibited items off our platform and out of our communities.”
eBay’s Criminal and Regulatory Investigations team looks into potential misuse of the platform, supports lawful law enforcement requests and helps identify activity that may violate eBay policies or applicable law.
Christian Hardman, who heads up the team, said Hayes’s work is a great demonstration of eBay’s collaboration with a trusted agency.
“Zach represents the very best of eBay’s Criminal and Regulatory Investigations team,” he says. “His work with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD shows what is possible when eBay and law enforcement work together with urgency, trust, and a shared commitment to public safety.”
eBay’s policies are clear: firearms are not allowed on the platform, and firearm parts and accessories are subject to strict rules. There’s also a layered approach to prevention and enforcement, which includes automated detection, image detection, keyword and behavior-based signals, and, where appropriate, trained human review.
In 2025, 98.2% of prohibited listings were blocked at the point of listing creation and never appeared on the marketplace. eBay algorithms also blocked 244.5 million potential Prohibited and Restricted Item violations before they could reach buyers.
Technology and policy are only part of the equation. Law enforcement brings investigative expertise and public safety mandates; eBay brings platform knowledge, dedicated investigators and secure processes for responding to lawful requests.
The Manhattan DA’s recognition of Hayes matters. It’s a great example of collaboration and of eBay’s broader commitment to investing in the people, technology, policies and partnerships that protect our marketplace and help keep prohibited items out of communities.