HOW ARE ALL MY CONTACTS LISTED ON THE COX SERVER IN THE NEW FORMAT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION ??

My POP email has been switched to the new format as of a few weeks ago.  Today , when i was deleting my emails from the server (which I keep there for a backup), I noticed that IN THE CONTACTS, where i normally have nothing listed (since I dont use webmail to send emails), that low and behold, ALL MY CONTACTS WERE LISTED ??? I have used APPLE MAIL  for the last 4 years and before that Outlook on a PC. Always used POP. My contacts have NEVER been listed on the server. HOW DID THEY GET THERE? I am internet and computer savvy, and have never given my permission for this to happen.  I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS!