Hello, players.
This is the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team.

Before we begin, we'd like to sincerely thank everyone who loves PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and continues to share valuable feedback to help create a fairer gameplay environment.

In this Dev Letter, we'll share updates on our efforts to address cheat distribution and advertising, strengthen our response to ban evasion through HWID changes, and review stronger penalties for playing alongside cheaters.

Read on for the progress we're making to combat cheating and protect legitimate players.

Actions Against Cheat Distribution and Promotional Content

The Anti-Cheat Team's efforts extend beyond detecting and banning cheaters in-game. We also take action against the sale and promotion of cheat programs outside the game.

• Content promoting cheat programs is repeatedly posted across external channels, including websites, online marketplaces, and social media. Even after removal, it often reappears in a different form.

• To address this, we continuously monitor external channels using a machine learning-based detection system. We track not only posts and videos, but also reappearing seller accounts and distribution channels.

• We report this content for removal in accordance with each platform’s policies and procedures to cut off the channels used to advertise and sell cheat programs. 

As a result, from January through September 2026, we reported more than 280,000 pieces of content selling or promoting cheat programs following each platform’s procedures. Action is being taken based on the platforms’ reviews.

Since this content can continually reappear as new posts or in modified forms, a single takedown is not enough. It is important to keep identifying and reporting this content to disrupt cheat distribution channels. We will continue these efforts against external distribution channels to help eradicate cheat programs.

Stronger Countermeasures Against Ban Evasion Through HWID Changes

Previously, players could evade bans by modifying their HWID (hardware identification information) and logging in with a new account, concealing the fact that their PC had already been banned. Returning after a permanent ban by altering a PC's identifying information undermines the effectiveness of bans and can create unfair experiences for legitimate players.

To address this, we established two complementary sets of detection criteria based on identifying information that remains consistent despite attempts to alter it. With these measures in place, we have banned a total of 10,237 accounts confirmed to have evaded bans by changing their HWID. 
Since the beginning of October this year, we have also updated our identification logic four times as part of our ongoing efforts to counter ban evasion. Both sets of detection criteria were thoroughly validated before being applied to ensure that legitimate players are not unnecessarily banned.

These measures have laid the groundwork for addressing attempts to evade bans using new accounts or different PCs. We will continue making it harder for cheaters to return to the game, while validating detection results to better protect fair players.

Stronger Penalties for Playing Alongside Cheaters Under Review

Even without using cheat programs yourself, forming a premade team with cheaters to gain an unfair advantage is a clear form of cheating that undermines fair competition.

We already enforce penalties for this behavior under our Rules of Conduct and are considering stronger penalties to prevent it from recurring.

Playing alongside cheaters can also lead to serious penalties against your own account. If you find yourself playing with someone you suspect of using cheat programs, please report them through the in-game reporting feature.

Developer Commentary

The Anti-Cheat Team's responsibilities go beyond detecting and banning cheaters. Alongside disrupting the external channels that keep cheat programs in circulation, we must also protect legitimate players from unfair harm.

We will continue investigating newly identified cheat programs and strengthening our detection criteria to provide a fair gameplay environment for all players.

Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team