Steve Ballmer leaves Microsoft board after 14 years to focus on LA Clippers

Former CEO of computer giant says he plans to spend time on basketball team, ‘civic contribution, teaching and study’

eBay startups: the businesses created from 15 years of ecommerce

From children's fancy dress to DIY and gardening equipment, the people who made a living from online auctions

How eBay transformed the way people shop – and what they sell

In the 15 years since its first UK sale, the e-commerce pioneer has made millionaires and reinvented itself. Has it lost its edge?

Do high valuations for Uber, Snapchat and BuzzFeed herald a new tech bubble?

Charles Arthur: While some worry that overvaluation of online businesses is a warning sign, others say that this time things will be different

Twitter share price rises sharply as company beats analysts’ expectations

Reporting second-quarter results, Twitter claims 271 million monthly active users as sales double to $312.2m

OKCupid: we experiment on users. Everyone does

Dating service’s co-founder claims it lied to users to test theory about compatibility. By Alex Hern

Twitter’s growth problem in focus as Wall Street watches closely

Can the social network convince investors that the future's bright – or is the 'Twitter quitter' becoming a real headache?

Facebook worth 128 times its profits? That’s beyond optimistic – it’s euphoric

The social network was valued at $192bn, more than Disney or Toyota, but you'll risk a lot trying to make a buck on Facebook

Twitter’s diversity report: white, male and just like the rest of Silicon Valley

Along with Facebook and Google, Twitter's diversity report reveal a tech industry starkly lacking women and minorities

Who are the 6 million people still getting Netflix by mail? I’m one of them

Sure, the streaming revolution's come. But that doesn't mean there's no upside to the postie handing you a movie, writes Alex Hern

Yahoo buys mobile analytics firm Flurry

In the face of strong competition from Google and Facebook, Yahoo has bought analytics firm to support its advertising business. By Alex Hern

Fox, Time Warner, and Rupert Murdoch’s last game of thrones

The old mogul's bid is a bold one. But with such a prize in play, might the new media giants – the tech companies – step in?

From Google to Amazon: EU goes to war against power of US digital giants

In Europe there is a growing fear of becoming a 'digital colony' ruled by Silicon Valley, whose giant firms wield huge power over privacy – and like to avoid tax. Now regulators are striking back

Twitter struggles to match growth hopes as mobile powers Facebook surge

Microblogging service’s UK revenue forecast to double to nearly £100m, but social network’s income expected to near £570m. By Mark Sweney

Sexism in Silicon Valley: Tinder, the ‘Dave rule’ and tech’s glass ceiling

Allegations of sexism from a former executive underline stark gender disparity in Silicon Valley and a culture seeking answers• Silicon Valley's 'walking dead' and culture of failure