If you’re one of the many Pokemon Go players who have resorted to using GPS spoofers and other dubious means to acquire that ultra-strong Snorlax guarding the gym in your area, it’s best to chuck your 3rd party apps out the door before Niantic Labs and the Pokemon Company drops a permanent ban hammer on your account. According to a note on Niantic’s Pokemon Go Support Page, violating the Terms of Service — which includes and not limited to: falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokémon GO clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third party software — could get your account banned with all dubiously acquired, high-leveled Pokemon along with it.

We published an article a few days ago about Niantic’s troubles pinning down cheaters in the highly popular game, but they are well aware of the situation that’s ruining the experience and — we’re guessing — they’re hoping that the permanent bans for the people running these third party APIs would dissuade others from even trying or for them to stop cheating altogether. Only time will tell, but we certainly hope that they figure out how to level the playing field for trainers who may be late to the game, but are leveling up legitimately.

Source: The Verge