Yahoo discontinues Classic Mail, implements e-mail scanning

[Shawn Knight]

As promised, Yahoo on Monday discontinued their Classic Mail service and is requiring that all users upgrade to the new version in order to continue to use the service. Yahoo revealed that Classic Mail was being discontinued back in April but they conveniently left out one important bit of information regarding the new terms of service and privacy policy.

Those that agree to the updated ToS / privacy policy should take note of the fine print as acceptance includes automated content scanning and analyzing of your communications content. Yahoo says e-mail scanning will help deliver product features, relevant advertising and abuse protection.

Sound familiar? It should because it is the same sort of policy that Google employs with Gmail. Yahoo allows users to opt out of interest-based and contextual-based advertising resulting from scanned and analyzed communications content but there’s no way to opt out of the scanning and analyzing itself.

So what’s a Yahoo mail user to do if you don’t want to agree to these new terms? The only option at this point is to close your account and move to a different e-mail provider. Yahoo does permit users to download their Yahoo mail using IMAP via a different e-mail program like Outlook, Mac Mail or an app on your mobile device. But even still, you’ll have to agree to the revised terms of service.

How do you feel about Yahoo and Gmail scanning your messages for advertising purposes? One thing is clear -  we certainly know Microsoft’s stance on the issue.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/52768-yahoo-discontinues-classic-mail-implements-e-mail-scanning.html

 

[tipstir]

Too bad Yahoo starting doing this. Since 1995 I've been with them and have seen a lot of changes. I guess to generate more revenue, let's scan all private emails to see what could be access for it. Gmail you said is do this also, that's not good for me either.

 

[roxxas2]

Want to play that Yahoo? Alright, Outlook it is!

 

[DelJo63]

Tip: DON'T use the browser interface - - use the email client software (aka Thunderbird) and you don't have to accept the the T.o.S.

 

[psycros]

Want to play that Yahoo? Alright, Outlook it is!

I'd say there's every chance that Microsoft is also scanning to some degree but their smart enough not to tell anyone. That, or simply lie about it - that's usually how they operate. This is why I've paid $20/yr for a private email service for over a decade - I knew they'd all start doing this eventually. If Yahoo was smart they'd charge $15/yr for ad-free, no-spying email with an enhanced web client (more filtering, sorting, etc). Instead they'll drive users away even faster.

 

[Xclusiveitalian]

I still use aol as my primary haha

 

[treetops]

It's insane how much protection we get with paper mail but next to nothing when it comes to emails. If your local post office read your mail to determine what advertisement to mail you they would be in hot water. Emails should be treated the same.

 

[Guest]

When will you mooches get it... FREE is paid for using other methods... If you don't want the intrusion, don't use a free service. Quit crying, spend $5/mo on hosted email and get over it.

 

[learninmypc]

I'm thinking its browser specific since it hasn't happened in my SeaMonkey browser but it has been on Firefox.
I think these email people are trying to be their version of facebook.

 

[Guest]

Yahoo email is the mail that comes with my paid sbcglobal.net internet service. I expect part of my $60/month goes for the email services, and I don't expect somebody to be scanning my email and sharing my "metadata" and who knows what else to the government.

 

[learninmypc]

I use yahoo,gmail & hotmail & see no ads.