Oct 18, 2019

U.K. wireless regulator relies on Yahoo Groups to port phone numbers

Ina Fried

Photo: Yui ok/PA images via Getty Images

Verizon's pending shutdown of Yahoo Groups has major implications for British cell phone customers looking to change carriers as Britain's cellphone regulator Ofcom uses Yahoo Groups to handle porting of numbers from one provider to another, The Verge reports.

The bottom line: It's not surprising to hear that nostalgic longtime Internet users would be sad to see Yahoo Groups' demise. It is very surprising to learn that a government or business was using the platform for any sort of mission critical work.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer

Facebook: 100 developers may have improperly accessed users' data

Mark Zuckerberg. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Facebook said in a blog post Tuesday that "roughly 100" software developers may have improperly accessed users' data, including the names and profile photos of people in specific groups on the social network.

Why it matters: Per Axios' chief technology correspondent Ina Fried, it's been clear for a while that the company’s issues with third parties go beyond Cambridge Analytica. This disclosure gives an indication of just how far.

Go deeperArrowNov 6, 2019
Stef W. Kight

Impeachment complicates spending fight Republicans don't want

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Multiple Hill aides tell Axios that Republicans have no appetite for another government shutdown over President Donald Trump's border wall in mid-November, but amid the impeachment fight, Democrats are voicing concerns that Trump may hijack the spending process.

What they're saying: "I’m worried, again, that the president is going to push us to a shutdown," Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, told Axios.

Go deeperArrowOct 30, 2019
Sara Fischer

Chasing huge subscriber goals, streamers give it away for free

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Streaming companies are under so much pressure to juice their subscriber numbers that they're giving away access to subscribers for free on a trial basis, with the hope that they one day can get users to actually pay.

Why it matters: Subscription streaming providers have set lofty subscriber goals over the next few years. But without the distribution prowess of a wholesaler, like a telecom company, they won't be able to hit those numbers.

Go deeperArrowOct 29, 2019