Yahoo set to confirm data hack of 200 million users - reports

US technology firm Yahoo is preparing official confirmation of a hack of 200 million of its users, according to Recode.

It was reported in August that the details of the users were being sold on the dark web, witht eh company only stating that it was "aware" of the claim.

The announcement is expected to come later this week, and may have serious implications for the company's proposed sale to communications giant Verizon.

Verizon is set to pay around £3.7bn for Yahoo's core business, which may be heavily affected by the reported data breach.

The hack is said to have been carried out by a cybercriminal known as Peace. The hacker alleges that the data includes usernames, passwords and other personal information. Peace has been held responsible for similar attacks on the likes of Myspace and LinkedIn.

Shareholders of the company will be hoping that the reports of an announcement from Yahoo will not come to fruition, over fears that it may reduce the price of the Verizon transaction.