A new warning message has started appearing for some Pokémon Go players, prompting confusion and fears about being suspended from the popular mobile game.
Starting Oct. 16, numerous Pokémon Go players received a red warning message that reads:
"We have detected activity on your account that indicates you are using modified client software or unauthorized third-party software in violation of our Terms of Service. This is the first Strike against your account. It will last for approximately one more day. We strongly encourage you to stop this activity. Any further transgressions will result in an account suspension."
Understandably, Pokémon Go players who saw the message became worried that they received a strike. However, the official NIantic Support Twitter account posted an update about the new warning screen, which has more to do with a player's past transgressions than anything that happened on or around Oct. 16.
Here's Niantic's tweet about the warning message.
Hey Trainers, if you have previously received a warning or suspension notice, you may see a new acknowledgment screen when logging into Pokémon GO. This is a one-time acknowledgment for previous violations and it doesn't necessarily indicate a new punishment on your account.
— Niantic Support (@NianticHelp) October 16, 2018
A player questioned Niantic on the social media platform, insisting they haven't done anything wrong but received the message anyway. Niantic Support responded that the message should be seen as a reminder to follow the game's Terms of Service.
Strikes in Pokémon Go are nothing new. Third-party software that helps trainers change their location, a technique known as "spoofing," is a common reason for receiving a strike in the mobile game. Niantic published a blog post on the three-strike rule in Pokémon Go and the kind of behavior that merits a strike. Here's an excerpt from the Pokémon Go blog:
"For the purposes of this policy, we define cheating as behaviors that violate the Pokémon Go Terms of Service and Trainer Guidelines, such as falsifying location (GPS location spoofing) and accessing Pokémon Go clients or backends in an unauthorized manner, including through the use of third-party software or add-ons."
Did you receive the red warning message? Let us know if you're worried about the new Pokémon Go warning in the comments section below.
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