"Pokémon GO" developer Niantic has a soft spot after all; it is helping many players have their account back after it started issuing permanent account closure about two weeks ago. However, not all banned accounts will see the light of day again, but accounts that have used third-party mapping tools have a chance to be back.
The studio has issued a statement concerning the accounts in question. They will be reinstating accounts of players who they believe have not violated the TOS (terms of service) knowingly. These are players who have used applications that let them know where the Pokémon are located or the add-on maps, like the popular PokéVision.
Niantic CEO John Hanke wrote, "Some players may not have realised that some add-on map apps do more than just show you nearby Pokémon. Each end-user app can be used as a collection tool by the app creator, invisibly collecting and forwarding data to the app creator with or without the knowledge of the end user. These apps can have an effect similar to DDoS attacks on our servers."
He also clarified that accounts that intentionally scrape data or those who used GPS spoofing techniques, tricking the server that they are located elsewhere around the world or that they have covered a specific distance, will remain inaccessible.
Hanke added, "Accounts whose sole purpose was to scrape data are not being unbanned. Accounts which used apps or websites to remotely capture Pokémon, battle or deploy on Gyms, or harvest resources from PokéStops are also not being unbanned."
The CEO ended his message that the company wants to offer a fun and fair way to experience the game. Only those who are trying to take advantage of the other players will have their accounts forfeited.
Players who would like to make an appeal in connection to their accounts can fill out a form on their website
