EA just dropped their first anti-cheat report for Battlefield 6, and the numbers are staggering. In the 49 days since launch, the controversial EA Javelin kernel-level anti-cheat system blocked 2.39 million cheating attempts, maintained a 98 percent cheat-free match rate, and caused 183 out of 190 tracked cheat providers to either announce failures or shut down completely. It’s the kind of decisive victory against cheaters that seemed impossible just a few years ago.
The report, published November 27, 2025, declares a successful disruption of the cheater community and backs it up with data. During the launch weekend alone, EA Javelin prevented over 367,000 cheat attempts. The Match Infection Rate, which measures the percentage of games with at least one cheater present, stayed at just 2 percent during launch week and has only slightly increased to 2.3-2.5 percent average in the month since. For context, that means 98 percent of Battlefield 6 matches are completely clean.
How EA Javelin Actually Works
EA Javelin is a kernel-level anti-cheat system, meaning it operates at the deepest level of your computer’s operating system. This gives it access past your system’s normal security measures to monitor everything happening on your machine while the game runs. It can scan RAM, monitor background processes, analyze visuals, review your file system, and even check in-game communications and chat logs.
The kernel-level approach became necessary because cheats evolved. Modern cheating software also runs at kernel level to avoid detection by traditional anti-cheat systems that operate in user mode. When cheats moved to kernel level, anti-cheat had no choice but to follow or risk being completely blind to what cheaters were doing. It’s an arms race, and both sides keep escalating.
Here’s what EA Javelin monitors and detects:
- Multiple specific detections for 190 different cheat-related programs, hardware, vendors and resellers
- Generic telemetry signals that identify suspicious behavior patterns
- File system analysis looking for known cheat signatures
- Memory scanning to catch runtime modifications
- Process monitoring to identify unauthorized software running alongside the game
- Visual analysis checking for overlays and ESP hacks
- Communication review flagging bot-like behavior or coordination
EA states that once you close Battlefield 6, the anti-cheat shuts down completely. But while you’re playing, it essentially has full access to your system with almost no technical restrictions. That level of access makes people nervous, which brings us to the controversy.
Why Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat Is So Controversial
Giving any software kernel-level access to your operating system creates legitimate security and privacy concerns. At that level, software can see and do almost anything on your computer. If EA Javelin gets compromised by hackers or contains bugs that create vulnerabilities, it could theoretically be exploited to install malware, steal data, or cause system instability.
Critics also worry about what data these systems collect and how companies use it. While EA claims Javelin only collects information necessary for cheat detection, the system has technical capability to monitor far more. Users must trust EA to respect privacy and properly secure the system against exploitation. Not everyone is comfortable with that trust requirement.
There are also practical compatibility issues. Kernel-level anti-cheat systems from different games sometimes clash with each other, requiring players to completely uninstall one game to play another. EA has been known to ban users for having certain software installed regardless of whether it’s actually being used to cheat. The false positive risk, while lower than it used to be, still exists.
Battlefield 6 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and virtualization-based security alongside EA Javelin. These system requirements locked out some players initially, though EA reports they’re down to just 1.5 percent of PC players unable to activate Secure Boot thanks to troubleshooting support and community feedback. Still, forcing hardware and firmware requirements for a video game raises accessibility questions.
The Numbers That Prove It Works
Whatever your feelings about the privacy tradeoffs, the effectiveness is undeniable. EA’s report breaks down the results from both the open beta period and post-launch month, showing consistent improvement and sustained success.
| Period | Cheat Attempts Blocked | Match Infection Rate | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Beta | 1.2 million | Started at 93.1%, ended at 98% | Removed tens of thousands of cheaters, banned live-streaming cheaters |
| Launch Weekend | 367,000+ | 98% | Lower than beta despite comparable player counts |
| First Month Total | 2.39 million | Steady 98% (2-2.5% infection rate) | 183 of 190 tracked cheat providers failed or shut down |
The open beta period proved especially valuable for testing and refining EA Javelin before full launch. The system blocked over 1.2 million cheat attempts during beta weekends and drove fair match rates from 93.1 percent at the start to nearly 98 percent by the end. That improvement showed the system was learning and adapting in real time.
Perhaps most impressive is the impact on the cheat provider ecosystem. Of 193 identified cheat-related programs, hardware, vendors, resellers and their communities, 183 have announced they’re either failing, have been detected, or have taken themselves down altogether. That’s a 96.3 percent disruption rate of the tracked cheat infrastructure.
Live-Streaming Cheaters Got What They Deserved
One particularly satisfying detail from the report: EA Javelin banned overconfident cheaters who were live-streaming their cheats in real time. These weren’t just casual cheaters testing things privately. These were people so confident in their cheats that they broadcast themselves using them, probably to advertise their services or show off to communities.
EA detected them anyway and issued bans while they were still streaming. That level of detection capability sends a clear message to the cheat community. Even the most sophisticated operations running the latest bypass techniques got caught. The era of cheaters feeling untouchable might actually be ending.
The psychological impact of these bans matters as much as the technical achievement. When cheat providers start announcing failures or shutting down, it creates uncertainty in the cheating community. Do their tools still work? Will they get detected next? That uncertainty makes people hesitant to purchase cheats or risk their accounts, which reduces overall cheating demand even beyond direct detection.
How This Compares to Other Games
Battlefield 6’s results stand out even among other aggressive anti-cheat implementations. Call of Duty’s RICOCHET Anti-Cheat reported that 97 percent of cheaters in Black Ops 7’s beta were flagged and banned within 30 minutes back in October 2025. That’s impressive speed, but Battlefield 6’s sustained 98 percent clean match rate over an entire month post-launch suggests more thorough long-term effectiveness.
PUBG reported continuous advancement of AI-based detection models and refinement of operational processes in November 2025, claiming their ability to detect and respond to cheats has become more precise than ever. Yet specific numbers on match infection rates or blocked attempts weren’t provided, making direct comparison difficult.
Riot Games and Valve continue developing proprietary anti-cheat systems with massive budget investments. Riot has even infiltrated cheat groups directly to identify potential exploits before they hit the market. These multi-pronged approaches combining kernel-level software, AI detection, behavioral analysis, and even legal action against cheat providers represent the industry’s current best practices.
What distinguishes EA’s approach is transparency. Providing specific numbers on blocked attempts, match infection rates, and cheat provider disruption allows the community to evaluate effectiveness rather than trusting vague promises. This report sets a standard other publishers should follow.
The Arms Race Never Ends
EA’s report acknowledges the obvious truth: this isn’t over. Cheat developers never stop evolving, and neither can anti-cheat systems. The current success represents a significant battle won, not the war’s end. New cheats will emerge, existing providers will adapt their techniques, and EA Javelin will need continuous updates to stay ahead.
The cheat development industry is massive and profitable. In 2021, Chinese police arrested people running what authorities claimed was the world’s largest video game cheating ring for PUBG Mobile. The founder said he netted at least $77 million from developing cheats. Other cheat developers have claimed million-dollar earnings or at least enough to not work for years. With that much money at stake, people will keep trying.
EA’s advantage is preparation and ongoing commitment. The report states they’ve been preparing for this fight for a long time, combining passion for fair play as both developers and gamers with technical sophistication and legal resources. The commitment to continue evolving EA Javelin as threats change will determine whether these impressive early results sustain over months and years.
What This Means for Gaming’s Future
Battlefield 6’s success with EA Javelin likely accelerates the industry’s shift toward kernel-level anti-cheat as standard practice. If one publisher achieves 98 percent clean matches while competitors struggle with rampant cheating, players will vote with their wallets. Games without robust anti-cheat will lose players to alternatives that provide fair competitive environments.
This creates pressure on smaller developers and indie studios. Developing or licensing kernel-level anti-cheat requires significant resources and expertise. EA, Activision, Riot and Valve can afford custom solutions. Smaller teams may need to rely on third-party services like Easy Anti-Cheat or BattlEye, which provide kernel-level protection but with less customization and control.
The privacy and security concerns aren’t going away either. As more games demand kernel-level access, expect continued pushback from privacy advocates, security researchers, and players uncomfortable with the tradeoffs. Some operating systems or regions may eventually restrict or ban kernel-level game software, forcing the industry toward alternative solutions.
But for competitive multiplayer games, the current reality is clear: kernel-level anti-cheat works, players want fair matches, and the financial incentives favor aggressive detection over privacy concerns. Battlefield 6 just proved that when implemented correctly, these controversial systems can actually deliver on their promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cheaters has Battlefield 6 blocked since launch?
EA Javelin has blocked 2.39 million cheat attempts in the 49 days since Battlefield 6 launched on October 10, 2025. During the launch weekend alone, over 367,000 cheat attempts were prevented. The system maintains a 98 percent cheat-free match rate, meaning only 2 percent of games have a cheater present.
What is EA Javelin and how does it work?
EA Javelin is a kernel-level anti-cheat system that operates at the deepest level of your computer’s operating system. It monitors RAM, background processes, file systems, visuals, and communications while you play. This deep access allows it to detect modern cheats that also run at kernel level. EA states the system shuts down completely when you close the game.
Is EA Javelin safe to install?
EA claims EA Javelin is secure and only collects data necessary for cheat detection. However, kernel-level software inherently has deep system access, which creates potential security and privacy risks if compromised or misused. Users must trust EA to properly secure the system and respect privacy. No major security incidents have been reported with EA Javelin specifically.
How many cheat providers shut down because of EA Javelin?
Out of 190 tracked cheat-related programs, hardware vendors, resellers and communities, 183 have either announced failures, been detected to the point of non-functionality, or shut down completely. That’s a 96.3 percent disruption rate of the identified cheat infrastructure in just one month post-launch.
What are the system requirements for EA Javelin?
Battlefield 6 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and virtualization-based security enabled alongside EA Javelin. EA reports that only 1.5 percent of PC players are currently unable to activate Secure Boot thanks to troubleshooting support and community feedback, down from higher initial numbers.
Can EA Javelin cause false bans?
While EA hasn’t disclosed specific false positive rates, any anti-cheat system can potentially misidentify legitimate software or behavior as cheating. EA has been known to ban users for having certain software installed regardless of whether it’s used for cheating. The risk exists but appears lower with EA Javelin’s sophisticated detection methods compared to older systems.
How does Battlefield 6’s anti-cheat compare to Call of Duty?
Both are highly effective. Call of Duty’s RICOCHET Anti-Cheat reported 97 percent of Black Ops 7 beta cheaters were banned within 30 minutes. Battlefield 6 maintains a sustained 98 percent clean match rate over the first month post-launch. Both use kernel-level detection, legal action against cheat providers, and continuous evolution to stay ahead of new threats.
Will EA Javelin be used in other EA games?
Yes, EA Javelin is already active in 14 EA titles according to earlier reports. The system has blocked over 33 million cheat attempts across 2.2 billion PC gaming sessions since its overall launch across EA’s portfolio. Battlefield 6 represents the latest and most successful implementation.
The Bottom Line
Battlefield 6 and EA Javelin just accomplished something that seemed impossible a few years ago: they actually disrupted the cheater community at scale. Blocking 2.4 million cheat attempts, maintaining 98 percent clean matches, and shutting down 96 percent of tracked cheat providers represents a decisive victory in gaming’s ongoing war against cheaters.
The tradeoff is real. Kernel-level access creates legitimate privacy and security concerns that shouldn’t be dismissed. But for competitive multiplayer games where cheating ruins the experience for millions of legitimate players, the results speak for themselves. When 98 out of 100 matches are completely fair, players get to actually enjoy the game they paid for.
Whether this success sustains long-term depends on EA’s commitment to continuously evolving EA Javelin as new cheats emerge. The arms race never truly ends. But for now, in late 2025, Battlefield 6 proves that aggressive, sophisticated anti-cheat systems can actually work. And that success will likely influence the entire gaming industry’s approach to fair play for years to come.