In a continued effort to preserve competitive integrity, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has released its newest roster of permanently banned accounts for the investigation period spanning December 7 to 13, 2026. The list, published earlier today by the PUBG Anti-Cheat Team, serves as a transparent warning to those who might consider using illegal software or engaging in misconduct while dropping into the battlegrounds. The announcement arrives alongside renewed guidance on how players can safeguard their own accounts from malicious exploitation.

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The disclosed roster follows the studio’s long-standing tradition of weekly name-and-shame transparency. Every nickname in the permanently banned list has its first three characters replaced with asterisks to balance public accountability with personal data protection. While the exact number of affected accounts was not specified, the release emphasizes that no tolerance will be shown toward those who undermine fair play. The Anti-Cheat Team relies on a multi-layered detection ecosystem that combines machine learning algorithms, player reports, and kernel-level monitoring through third-party solutions such as BattlEye, alongside proprietary in-house defenses.

❌ Why Accounts Get the Permanent Axe

The offenses leading to a permanent banishment are well documented but remain persistent. Common violations include:

  • Aimbotting – Automated targeting that snaps crosshairs to opponents instantly

  • Wallhacking/ESP – Extrasensory perception that reveals enemy positions, loot, or equipment through terrain

  • Speed hacks – Unnaturally rapid movement that breaks game physics

  • Teamkilling abuses – Deliberately eliminating squad members to ruin their experience

  • Account theft and boosting – Unauthorized access to accounts for rank manipulation

These activities don’t just ruin individual matches; they corrode the trust of the entire player base and shrink the active community over time. The development team notes that its anti-cheat measures are continuously evolving, with hotfixes and behavioral analysis being updated multiple times per month to stay ahead of cheat developers.

🛡️ How You Can Join the Fight

The notice strongly encourages the community to be the first line of defense. Suspicious behavior should be reported instantly via the in-game replay system or the death cam screen. If those immediate reports don’t lead to swift action, players can escalate the matter through PUBG Support, providing session IDs and video evidence for manual review. The Anti-Cheat Team emphasized that every report feeds the detection algorithms, helping them identify new cheat patterns faster.

Additionally, the team highlighted the critical role of Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator in protecting accounts. Even if a player never cheats personally, a compromised account can be hijacked and used for illicit activities, resulting in an irreversible ban on the original owner’s record. Enabling the authenticator provides a dynamic two-factor shield that makes unauthorized access significantly more difficult.

Here’s a quick step-by-step to activate it:

1️⃣ Download the Steam Mobile App from your device’s app store

2️⃣ Log into your Steam account and navigate to Steam Guard settings

3️⃣ Toggle on the Get Steam Guard codes from the Steam app on my phone option

4️⃣ Follow the on-screen pairing instructions to link your phone

5️⃣ Use the generated time-sensitive codes whenever logging in from a new device

🔐 More Than Just Bans: Long-Term Security

Beyond the weekly ban lists, Krafton has been investing in broader ecosystem stability. In 2026, the publisher expanded its hardware-based bans (HWID bans) to cover more peripheral devices associated with cheating accounts, making it expensive for repeat offenders to simply create a new free-to-play profile. The company also frequently collaborates with law enforcement in regions where cheat sellers operate as commercial enterprises, pursuing legal actions that have led to the shutdown of several prominent cheat subscription services.

The message from the Anti-Cheat Team remains consistent: fair play is a shared responsibility. Players are advised to never share account credentials, avoid downloading unverified “enhancements” or mods, and always log out from public gaming cafe PCs. The weekly banned list, while only a snapshot, illustrates the scale of the ongoing battle. Behind each masked nickname lies a story of a compromised or deliberately malicious account that will never again set foot on Erangel, Miramar, or any of the other maps.

The investigation period for this latest batch fell between December 7 and 13, 2026. Anyone who suspects they were banned unfairly can appeal through the official support website, though the vast majority of permanent suspensions are upheld thanks to robust evidence logs. The team concluded the announcement by thanking the community for its continued vigilance and reaffirming its commitment to a clean, competitive environment.

“We highly value your interest and opinions that contribute to PUBG's anti-cheat efforts. We will do our best to provide a fair gaming environment,” the statement read.

As the year draws to a close, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS remains a flagship battle royale where cheaters are met with decisive and public consequences. Players are reminded that the next weekly list is already being compiled, and each report brings the community one step closer to a truly level playing field.