Five At Five: Twitter Warns Investors On Monthly User Totals

Welcome to Five at Five, your late look at the payments and commerce news of the day. Coverage includes a Twitter warning on monthly active users, a U.S. intelligence warning of a possible cyberattack, grocery chain SUPERVALU being acquired by UNFI, an imminent comeback for RadioShack and Google banning apps that mine crypto from user devices.

Twitter Warns Investors on Monthly User Numbers After Cleanse

Twitter executives warned that monthly active users have been cut by about three million as the social media platform moved to purge spam and dormant accounts, curb abuse on the system and comply with new privacy regulations. The service has taken steps in recent months to create a more open and hospitable atmosphere for users, including the purchase of a San Francisco firm that has tools to combat online harassment and abuse.

U.S. Security Officials Warn of Potential Supply Chain Hack

U.S. intelligence officials are warning of an imminent cyberattack targeting the technology behind business supply chains. The report by the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center warned that Russia, China or Iran could be involved in such an attack, targeting software linked to the supply chain.

United Natural Buys SUPERVALU as Whole Foods Contract on Clock

In a move that could serve as a hedge against Whole Foods, United Natural Foods has agreed to buy SUPERVALU in a deal valued at $2.9 billion. According to the CNBC report, Whole Foods accounts for about 33 percent of the wholesaler’s business, and that contract is set to expire in 2025.

Google Bans Apps that Mine User Devices for Crypto

Google has banned apps that mine cryptocurrency in the back of a user’s device. The ban does not include apps that remotely manage the mining of cryptocurrency, and users can still access apps like AA Miner, NeoNeonMiner and CryptoMiner in the Play Store.

RadioShack Poised to Make Comeback Bid

RadioShack may be poised to make a comeback with the help of HobbyTown. The iconic electronics retailer, whose post-bankruptcy assets were acquired by General Wireless Operations, is installing RadioShack Express stores inside 100 HobbyTown locations.