scotsman1228,
This from Yahoo's privacy page
# Information recorded through these web beacons is used to report aggregate information about Yahoo! users to our partners. This aggregate information may include demographic and usage information. No personally identifiable information about you is shared with partners from this research.
# When conducting research Yahoo!'s practice is to require our partners to disclose the presence of these web beacons on their pages in their privacy policies and state what choices are available to users regarding the collection and use of this information. You may choose to opt-out of Yahoo! using this information for this research. Please click here to opt-out.
Note: This opt-out applies to a specific browser rather than a specific user. Therefore you will have to opt-out separately from each computer or browser that you use.
Rest of policy
HEREI would suggest you at least use their "opt-out" option on that page.
Here is the link from spywareinfo on info regarding these bugs
HEREIt is my humble opinion that any object that has been purposely hidden for the direct purpose of gathering information about you should be considered "spyware", however Yahoo does state their use in their privacy policy and an option to opt out although when you click on this clink (if you are logged in) all you get is this
You have opted out successfully.
If you would like to cancel your opt-out request,
you may do so by clicking the button below
Not the most reassuring statement!