Activision’s war on cheaters is showing early success. The company has confirmed that its upgraded Ricochet Anti-Cheat system caught 97% of cheaters within just 30 minutes of signing in during the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 early access beta.
— Call of Duty Updates (@CODUpdates) October 5, 2025
According to Activision, the new anti-cheat technology has been more efficient than ever before, using stronger TPM 2.0 checks and automated detection systems to prevent hackers from ruining the game. “Cheaters were expected,” the team said, “but our upgraded systems caught them faster than ever.”
In the first two days of beta testing, fewer than 1% of cheating attempts even made it into a match. Those who slipped through were removed within minutes. Activision said most of the accounts shown in viral clips had already been banned before the videos reached social media.
“This is just the beginning,” the publisher added. “When launch arrives, every layer of protection will be in full force, and Ricochet’s defences will only grow stronger.”
Cheat Sellers Hit Hard
Activision isn’t just targeting cheaters in-game. The publisher has also cracked down on cheat vendors, with major providers now labelling their products as “unusable” or “detected.” Some resellers have even admitted they no longer have any working tools for Black Ops 7.
Beyond banning players, Activision said it has contributed to the shutdown of more than 40 cheat developers and resellers since Black Ops 6 launched. “We’re not only disabling their cheats, but also their illegal businesses as well,” the Ricochet team wrote.
The publisher warned that vendors caught sharing cheat-related clips during the beta were already under investigation and would face further consequences beyond game bans.
Player Reports Still Matter
While the Ricochet system now handles most detection automatically, Activision stressed that player reports remain vital. Feedback from players helps the system improve its detection accuracy and adapt faster to new exploits.
The update also addressed the introduction of new PC security requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot checks. Activision acknowledged that these may feel inconvenient but said they’re essential for maintaining fair play. Players having trouble setting up their systems can follow a detailed step-by-step guide on the official Activision Support page.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
Despite the strong results, not every player is convinced. Some fans have reported still encountering cheaters in the beta, questioning whether the bans have lasting effects. “Detection alone doesn’t solve the problem if cheaters face minimal consequences or return within hours,” one fan wrote on social media.
Others claim cheat developers have already found ways to adapt, with one user saying, “It took them only five minutes to make Black Ops 6 cheats work on Black Ops 7.”
Even so, Activision’s numbers and ongoing enforcement suggest a more robust system than in past titles. With the Call of Duty League set to return in 2026, maintaining competitive integrity is likely to remain a major focus for the publisher.
Activision insists that its fight against cheating is an industry-wide challenge—and one it’s determined to lead. As the full release of Black Ops 7 draws closer, the Ricochet Anti-Cheat team plans to keep evolving its systems, responding faster, and refining defences to keep every match fair.