Activision’s ongoing battle against cheaters and exploiters has taken a controversial turn as players in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are now reportedly being banned for AFK farming in Plunder mode. While many players see the tactic as harmless, the publisher seems to view it as a form of unfair boosting — and has started handing out permanent bans as a result.
Players Report Permabans for AFK Behavior
The issue surfaced after popular Call of Duty news and leaks account TheGhostOfHope shared reports from multiple players who claim to have been permabanned after repeatedly going AFK in Plunder. Others, including streamers, have echoed the same experience, posting screenshots of ban notices citing “boosting” as the reason.
Plunder matches, which last up to 30 minutes, allow players to earn experience points even if they don’t actively participate. This has led some players to jump into matches simply to farm XP passively while away from their controllers. That method appears to have caught Activision’s attention, with the company now treating it as a bannable offense.
Over 228,000 Accounts Banned Since Launch
Since the launch of Black Ops 6 in October 2024, Activision has reportedly banned more than 228,000 accounts across its competitive modes, as part of its firm stance against cheating, boosting, and disruptive behavior. While most players welcome the removal of hackers from ranked and competitive play, the decision to ban for AFK farming has proven more divisive.
Some community members and streamers, such as LastChanceFPS, have criticized the policy as excessive. “Treating AFK players in Plunder the same as hackers is over the top,” one streamer commented, reflecting a broader sentiment that the punishment does not fit the offense.
A Pattern of Aggressive Enforcement
This isn’t the first time Activision’s aggressive approach to enforcement has drawn scrutiny. Earlier in 2025, one player received a 67-year ban for violating the in-game chat policy, effectively locking them out of the game permanently.
Whether the company will soften its stance in response to growing complaints remains unclear. For now, players are advised to avoid AFK farming and to stay actively engaged in matches to avoid risking their accounts.
