The First Viral Auction That Got Shut Down

Startpage, the world’s most private search engine, wanted to go beyond just stating its mission. The challenge: show a digitally fluent audience why online privacy matters in an age when giving away personal data feels normal. So Foundry asked: what if we sold that data to the highest bidder?

We partnered with influencer Rafael Neugart to auction off his real search history on eBay—an outrageous but truthful way to make privacy tangible. Starting at €1, the bids skyrocketed past €110,000 in days—until eBay shut it down for “excessive pricing.” Just the kind of statement we were hoping for.

The campaign became a viral privacy moment. With over 1 million impressions, national press coverage, and a 140% jump in brand awareness, Startpage wasn’t just a privacy solution—it became the centre of a cultural conversation about the value of personal data.