Report: Yahoo May Confirm 'Serious' Data Breach, Implications For Verizon Unknown

Internet giant Yahoo is expected to confirm a data breach this week that allegedly has impacted several hundred million user accounts, according to a report published Thursday by Recode.

Yahoo in August said it was aware of a claim that hackers had access to 200 million Yahoo user accounts and that one hacker -- an infamous cybercriminal called "Peace" -- was selling these user credentials on the dark web. At the time, Yahoo said it was "investigating" this claim but did not confirm its legitimacy.

It's unclear whether the alleged hack will have any impact on Verizon, which said in July that it plans to purchase the internet company's core internet properties, including its media, search engine and communications assets, for $4.83 billion.

[Related: Partners Expect Potential Fallout From Verizon's $4.83B Yahoo Acquisition]

Verizon did not return CRN's request for comment regarding how the alleged hack could impact the pending acquisition, or whether Verizon would be liable in any way for the breach, by publication time.

A confirmation of the alleged extensive breach could impact the closing of the Yahoo acquisition, possibly resulting in an adjustment of Yahoo's price, according toRecode.

The Verizon-Yahoo deal still needs to be approved by regulatory agencies, as well as Yahoo's shareholders, before the transaction can close and the two companies can be integrated. Yahoo's board has already approved the sale.

As of publication time, Yahoo has yet to confirm the reported security breach.

According to the report, which cites "sources close to the situation," "Peace" claimed to be selling user accounts -- which include user names, decrypted passwords, as well as personal information, such as birth dates and alternate email addresses -- for more than $1,800. The unnamed sources referred to the hack as "widespread" and "serious."