Activision has introduced a major update to its anti-cheat measures in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. The company is now providing players with clear feedback about their account status. Players receive an in-game message if their account has been placed into a limited matchmaking pool, which is often called a “shadowban.” This change is a significant improvement from the previous method, where players had no way of knowing if their account was under review. The new system also notifies all members of a party, making them aware if their gameplay is impacted by another player who is in a limited matchmaking pool.
This change adds much-needed transparency to the process. Previously, players suspected of cheating or other misconduct found themselves in lobbies with long wait times and high-latency connections, often without any explanation. This lack of communication caused frustration and confusion. The new in-game message informs players of their status and helps differentiate between a temporary review and a permanent ban. It clarifies that a shadowban does not mean a player is guilty but indicates that an investigation is in progress due to a possible red flag, such as a high number of player reports.
Once an account enters the limited matchmaking pool, Activision’s security team, made up of human agents, conducts a thorough review. The outcome of this investigation decides the account’s fate. If the review finds evidence of cheating, the account will be permanently banned. If the investigation shows no evidence of cheating, the account is restored to the regular matchmaking system. This process aims to be more efficient and fair, providing a clear path for legitimate players who might have been wrongly flagged and for the quick removal of confirmed cheaters.
This update is part of a larger effort by Activision to strengthen its anti-cheat measures ahead of the upcoming launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. In addition to the shadowban notifications, the game has received other important security updates, including the adoption of Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Mode 2.0 (TPM 2.0). These measures aim to tackle malicious software and hardware changes more effectively, ensuring the integrity of the game’s environment. The ongoing commitment to combating cheating shows the publisher’s dedication to maintaining a fair and competitive experience for all players in the franchise.
