why am I getting daft pictures to tick, before I can post an answer?

This is something new to try to deal with the bots that been on this site for the last few years. I have not run into it yet but I am sure I will. It has nothing to do with Google it Verizon Media who is doing this. Verizon Media is just trying to make this site safer for all users.

This is an anti-spam measure to prove you're not a spambot.

To Prove that you are a Human being and Not a Bot

This is something new Probably that Yahoo is Testing Yahoo probably wants to get Rid of the Out of Control Bots that keep Posting on Everyone's Answers

To prove you are a human user and not a bot program attempting to use the site. Hopefully the captcha's will be required less frequently, soon. Otherwise, I see another migration of users away from the site due to the added annoyance.

They're trying to detect "bots" and hopefully stop some of the worst troll/multiple account users. If it doesn't drive us crazy first.

It's supposed to prevent automated spam, but it doesn't seem to be stopping the Yahoo Helpline answers.

It is an anti-spam measure.

This captcha is yahoo’s latest nonsense in trying to combat “robot activity”

Utter balls.

not sure. i'm also getting those verification pictures. could be a new system by YA to get rid of bot accounts.

also, any "yahoo helpline" or other claiming to be customer support phone number is a scam, and you shouldn't call.