As a professional player who has spent countless hours on the Battlegrounds, I know how quickly a match can be ruined by someone using illegal software. That is why I always pay attention when the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team publishes its weekly banned players list. The latest report I reviewed covers an investigation period from April 7 through April 13, and it makes one thing clear: permanent bans are still the main answer for serious misconduct.
I have seen many ban waves over the years, but this one reminded me that the anti-cheat team is not only punishing offenders after the fact. They are also asking the community to help with reports and to secure accounts before problems happen.
What the Permanent Ban List Shows
The list focuses on permanently banned accounts rather than temporary suspensions. In my opinion, that is a strong signal because permanent bans remove the offender for good. The notice states that the published list shows only in-game nicknames, and the first three letters of each nickname are replaced with an asterisk. From a player perspective, this keeps the process fair by exposing the action without fully exposing personal identifiers.
The key details I noted from the report are:
-
🚫 Permanent bans only – the list highlights accounts removed for serious violations.
-
🕵️ Masked nicknames – the first three characters are replaced with
*for privacy and fairness. -
📅 Investigation period – the enforcement window covers April 7 through April 13.
-
🛡️ Community role – players are asked to report illegal software and misconduct through the in-game system first.
Why This Matters to Me
I have played matches where a teammate was clearly using unauthorized tools, and it felt like my own rank was being affected by something I could not control. Seeing permanent ban lists makes me feel that the reporting system is working, even if detection sometimes takes longer than I would like. The anti-cheat team's message is not just about punishment. It is also about awareness, because many players do not realize how serious misconduct can lead to a permanent loss of an account.
From the report, I can tell that PUBG wants players to understand the difference between an accidental error and deliberate cheating. Permanent bans are not handed out for small mistakes; they are reserved for the kind of activity that damages the game for everyone. That said, the team also reminds us that our own account security matters.
Account Security and Prevention
One part of the notice that I always appreciate is the reminder to use the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. This is not directly anti-cheat software, but it protects your valuable account from being stolen and used for illegal activity. If someone takes over your account and uses it to cheat, you could end up banned even if you were not the one playing.
The announcement asks players to make sure they sign up for Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. I have used this extra layer of protection for a long time, and I recommend it to anyone who takes their PUBG inventory and rank seriously.
Here is the way I look at account protection:
| Protection Step | Why It Matters | My Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Use Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator | Prevents unauthorized access and reduces the chance of account misuse | Enable it immediately if you have not already |
| Report through the in-game system first | Sends the report to the correct anti-cheat process | Always use the report function when you see cheating |
| Contact PUBG Support for extra help | Provides additional assistance when in-game reporting is not enough | Use support only after you have filed an in-game report |
| Avoid suspicious software | Keeps your account from being flagged for unauthorized programs | Do not run unapproved tools while playing |
How I Report Suspicious Players
When I encounter a player who looks like they are using illegal software, I follow the same process every time. First, I report them through the in-game system because that is the fastest way to get the information to the anti-cheat team. If I need additional assistance, I contact PUBG Support. This order matters because the team explicitly asks players to start with in-game reports.
I also try to collect basic information such as the player's nickname, the server, and the time of the match. This is useful if I need to provide more details later. However, I avoid calling out players publicly, because public accusations can be wrong and the official process is more reliable.
Why the Community Should Stay Involved
The anti-cheat effort is not something the developers can handle alone. Every report from a real player adds context that automated systems might miss. The weekly banned list is not just a punishment notice; it is also a way to show the community that the system is active. I believe that when players see regular updates, they are more likely to keep reporting and less likely to tolerate cheating.
The announcement also says the team highly values player interest and opinions that contribute to PUBG's anti-cheat efforts. From my experience, this is more than a standard closing line. Player feedback helps identify new cheating patterns, and the community is often the first to notice when something feels wrong in a match.
Final Thoughts
I will keep watching the weekly ban lists because they tell me how seriously PUBG is treating fairness. Permanent bans are a strong tool, but they work best when players report misconduct and protect their own accounts. If you love the game as much as I do, do not ignore suspicious behavior. Use the in-game report system, secure your account with Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, and let the anti-cheat team handle the rest.
A fair match is more fun for everyone, and every report helps move the game in that direction.