Yahoo stops some users accessing their emails in ad-block arms race

Yahoo has confirmed that it is preventing some people from accessing their emails if they are using ad-blocking software in their browser. They said that they're testing a "new product experience" in the US. While the Register jokes that they "Just wanted to prove it has enough users to pull off an A/B test", the ad block pro support forum has already bypassed Yahoo's block.

While the ads Yahoo runs allows for your free email services, people are blocking ads for other reasons than "they're annoying". Last year Yahoo unwittingly distributed malware that enslaved PCs to Bitcoin mining.

"At Yahoo!, we are continually developing and testing new product experiences," the Purple Palace told El Reg. "This is a test we're running for a small number of Yahoo! Mail users in the US."
Yahoo! did not provide details on precisely what was being tested or how long the test would last. In the meantime, the affected Adblock users will still be asked to disable their blocker in order to view the webmail service.