xfinity just switched my email to IMAP

I was working on my old emails, when I realized that it was taking a long time to receive emails.  I tried the repair program, but that stalled as well in trying to find the server.

I went back to enter my password, and to my surprise, my POP3 email was changed to IMAP.

What happened?  Is Xfinity now refusing to support POP3? 

I do plan to move to IMAP with a new computer, but having this done without my permission is a bit heavy handed.

Has anyone else had this experience?