On May 26, 2023, I was banned from the Apex Legends for no apparent reason, despite my insistence that I did nothing wrong.
Long story short: I was casually playing with the boys (gun game or something), and I was good that particular day but suddenly got disconnected (well, that happens sometimes, nothing to worry about). And here is the twist: permanent ban for "cheating". Okay, as I am sure that I wasn't cheating, I wrote the TOS team the same day, next morning, I got the first accusation (yes, it is an accusation if the person is not guilty and you even theoretically cannot prove the opposite):
We got your note and did a full investigation of your account. After reviewing your case, we determined that we took the correct action in accordance with EA policies and procedures.
What this means
We have confirmed that your account was involved in cheating. Because of this, we will not remove the sanction on your account.
You break our rules(https://www.ea.com/terms-of-service#section6) if you: • use software that interferes with or disrupts an EA Service or another user’s account. • use undocumented features, exploits or cheats in-game that disrupts an EA Service or another user’s account. • use software or cheats that disconnects other users from the EA servers.
That morning I was like "really? wft? me, cheating, for real? are you nuts?" and decided to write an appeal (spoiler: it helped less than the previous one), and I got this:
We have received your most recent correspondence expressing concerns about the action that was taken on your account.
After thoroughly investigating your account and concern, we again found that we actioned your account correctly after it was found to have violated our User Agreement. We will also be unable to provide any details regarding our internal procedures.
Due to this violation, we will not remove the sanction that was applied to your account.
Violate any law, rule, or regulation: I have always complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulation
Interfere with or disrupt any EA Service or its servers or networks: I have never engaged in any activities that interfere with or disrupt the EA Service.
Use software or programs that cause damage or disruption: I have never used any software or programs that intentionally cause harm to the EA Service or other players' computer.
Interfere with another player's use of the EA Service: I have always respected other players' rights and have never engaged in disruptive behavior.
Harass, threaten, bully, or engage in unwanted conduct: I have always treated other players and EA employees with respect and courtesy.
Contribute or participate in inappropriate or offensive activities: I have never contributed or participated in any activity that promotes inappropriate, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or offensive content.
Publish, post, or distribute illegal or unauthorized content: I have never published, posted, uploaded, or distributed any illegal or unauthorized content
Post messages unrelated to personal communication: I have always used the messaging features within the EA Service for personal communication purposes only
Impersonate an EA employee or representative: I have never impersonated any EA employee or representative.
Properly use in-game support or make accurate reports: I have always used the in-game support features responsibly and have never made false reports to EA staff
Respect privacy and refrain from phishing or obtaining private information: I have never attempted to obtain or phish for any private information from anyone on the EA Service.
Use payment methods and refund systems responsibly: I have always used payment methods and refund systems within the EA Service responsibly.
Refrain from using automated tools or unauthorized software: I have never used any unauthorized software programs, tools, or exploits to gain an unfair advantage within the EA Service.
Use genuine software and content: I have always used genuine software and content provided by EA
Access EA Service only through authorized channels: I have always accessed the EA Service through authorized channels
Respect the terms of account transfer and ownership: I have never engaged in any unauthorized transfer of my EA Account or any associated EA Content.
Comply with applicable export control laws: I have always used the EA Service in compliance with the applicable export control laws of the countries involved.
Use appropriate usernames or personas: I have always used appropriate usernames or personas within the EA Service.
Foster a peaceful, fair, and respectful gaming environment: I am committed to fostering a gaming environment characterized by peace, fairness, and respect.
Use publicly available user information responsibly: I have always used publicly available user information within the EA Service solely for purposes related to the service
Refrain from promoting or participating in prohibited activities: I have never promoted or participated in any prohibited activities described by EA. I request a thorough review of my adherence to the rules and policies of the EA Service, as I believe my actions have always been in accordance with EA's expectations.
We received your latest message regarding the action taken on your account. We have performed all investigations possible on this issue and will not reverse the decision.
Please do not expect further responses on this matter.
Conclusion:
Do not waste your time proving anything to this company, as they won't listen or care anyway.
Accept the fact that you can't do anything about it.
Record every game; otherwise, you will lose all your progress for random reasons, and you will not be able to do anything with that (like I did).
Do not link ANY of your accounts to EA; otherwise, if the same happens to you: none of the linked accounts will be able to play Apex (or any other game).
Under any circumstances, do not spend any money on a project where you can be blocked/banned/suspended just because that is a lovely Friday to get blocked/banned/suspended.
P.S.: now I am using a different account, and it works fine despite the same setup... what a surprise (no)
I've been playing using this PC with the same applications for two years and never had any problems (where could those problems come from if these applications are: Discord, Logitec G Hub, Nvidia Broadcast, and HyperX NGENUITY), no scripts, no glitches, no nothing...
I guess my issue will not be ever resolved. In fact, I won't do anything about it because I don't see the point, and I received automated answers ever since my third appeal; because of internal policies, I can't and won't be told the specific reason (and from a security point of view, this is correct) so I could fix it if it was the case at all and something on my PC indeed caused this ban.
Please keep in mind that using software to gain an advantage is cheating. Exploiting the game in any way (use a glitch, gain access to areas you are not supposed to reach and more) is a way of cheating. And sometimes using 3rd party software could be seen as cheating even if they claim that they are "following the T&C". With this said, I hope your issue is resolved soon and that you have a nice day!
I've been playing using this PC with the same applications for two years and never had any problems (where could those problems come from if these applications are: Discord, Logitec G Hub, Nvidia Broadcast, and HyperX NGENUITY), no scripts, no glitches, no nothing...
I guess my issue will not be ever resolved. In fact, I won't do anything about it because I don't see the point, and I received automated answers ever since my third appeal; because of internal policies, I can't and won't be told the specific reason (and from a security point of view, this is correct) so I could fix it if it was the case at all and something on my PC indeed caused this ban.
@Impact_Banana +1 The "ToS" team that manages the appeals is just an automated reply system. There are no actual people and nobody handles those appeals at all. This forum is also useless and just a waste of time. Bunch of "volunteers" that posts random useless copy-pasta that means nothing.
Please note that what @XHelperZ mentioned is true. Reports and or ban/suspension/submitted appeal tickets are taken seriously by EA and are handled by actual people not an automated system. With that in mind saying otherwise is spreading false information.
The forum is not at all useless, it is here for us users to talk about the game/s we love and to provide positive yet sometimes critical feedback on what we like/dislike and or things that are broken.
The volunteers here, are also not useless, many of us have helped and will continue to help other forum members where and when we can.
Yes we sometimes use some C&P stuff to help us but we also take the time to type things out, like I am doing now.
With all that in mind every person that comes to the forum with an account issue, like a Ban or suspension, are looking in the wrong place, the ToS team handles that and we provide them with that info and links, because account issues cannot be addressed via the forums.
The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few or one. --Spock--
Please note: I am a community volunteer – I do not work for EA. Me Too – If you also have this problem – first post on thread has this button. XP – For helpful comments (and to help others 'level up'). Mark As Solution – To help others find the answer to the issue now & in the future.
The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few or one. --Spock--
Please note: I am a community volunteer – I do not work for EA. Me Too – If you also have this problem – first post on thread has this button. XP – For helpful comments (and to help others 'level up'). Mark As Solution – To help others find the answer to the issue now & in the future.
For banned accounts, the info provided here is accurate. We here over the forums do handle appeals with TOS in any way. As the info provided is how to go about appealing, we are going to lock this down as it is starting to take a turn.
Thank you.
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EA_David
