Niantic has started dishing out permanent bans to Pokemon Go cheaters. (Photo : Getty Images/Tomohiro Ohsumi)
Niantic has started its crackdown on Pokémon Go players using cheats and hacks to play the location-based AR game by handing out permanent bans.
The team behind the widely popular mobile game warned Pokemon trainers against the usage of several prohibited apps and bots in a statement posted on the official website of Pokémon Go on Thursday (Aug. 18)
"After reviewing many reports of in-game cheating, we have started taking action against players taking unfair advantage of and abusing Pokémon GO," the post reads. "Moving forward, we will continue to terminate accounts that show clear signs of cheating."
Yes, Niantic's permanent bans just became an all-out reality, which is why it is important to know what can get you banned, how you can avoid getting banned and how you can retrieve your terminated account.
First things first, try not to do anything that violates the Terms and Services of the game, which you agreed to abide by when you signed up for Pokémon Go. You probably skipped the part where you read through them but here are some of the important rules you must follow.
Niantic is keeping an eye out for players who are using bots to advance in the game. Creators of bots as well as gamers using them are being served with lifetime bans, according to CNET.
Moreover, make sure you stay away from apps that mock/fake your GPS location or joysticks that allow players walk around remotely and help eggs hatch faster.
Niantic is also handing out bans to players capturing region-locked pocket monsters such as Kangaskhan, Tauros, Mr. Mime and Farfetch'd and gamers using emulators to play Pokémon Go on a PC or laptop will not be spared either.
Follow these no-no's and you should be fine but if you do get permanently banned there are a couple of ways to retrieve your account (via iTech Post):
1. Sign out from your original account and create a new one
2. Once the new account is created, find and capture a Pokémon
3. Log into your old account and wait for at least 3 hours and you should have your account back
If the above-mentioned steps do not get your account back, there is a software that you use to undo the ban. The Window-based application, called QuickSpin, asks players a series of questions, including which area they want to relocate to once the ban is invalidated.
Watch the video below for more tips on how to avoid getting banned:
