Nobody likes a cheater and that includes Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, who announced a three-strike discipline policy that is taking aim on cheaters. The new policy delivers a fair justice system of punishment, particular for first time offenders that may have done so accidentally.
"Everyone can make mistakes," says Niantic. "That's why we have created this policy to enable offenders to learn from their mistakes and change their ways. If you have been issued a strike, don't ignore it. Take action and ensure you do not commit any further transgressions."
First time offenders will subjected to specific gameplay restrictions such as missing out on rare Pokémon in the wild and could be excluded from receiving EX Raid Passes. Second time offenders will see a more strict punishment in the form of a temporary 30-day suspension. A third and final strike will earn a player an automatic permanent ban from the game.
Niantic does offer an appeals system, but it will enact a complete investigation of your account. It warns that due to its "high level of accuracy," very few terminations are overturned.
In the past, Niantic held a zero-tolerance policy that banned cheaters upon their first infraction. It had since taken a softer stance at least trying to give cheaters some leeway to rehabilitate. If not, then it's still possible to ban them permanently after three strikes.
