Microsoft in talks to buy stake in social networking firm Foursquare: report

“This falls squarely in the “rumours and speculation” category,” Foursquare spokesman Brendan Lewis said via email.

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment.

Foursquare was a start-up darling three years ago. But as social networking companies have come under increased scrutiny,particularly since the initial public offering of Facebook Inc,Foursquare has lost some of its lustre,many investors around Silicon Valley have said.

Foursquare has raised a total of $112 million,including a $41 million convertible debt round in April.