Lobby not showing on Signed In Account, only when Signed out

Hello,

A bug that I have noticed which happened today March 5th 2025 at around 1:45AM UTC is that the lobby appears empty when I am signed in, but when I am signed out I can view Anonymous games.

Let me know if others are experiencing this issue or if it due to my internet connectivity.

For the meanwhile I will play Anonymously to past the time.

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains

If you head to lichess.org/appeal it may shed some light on what the issue is.

Hello Mennonite,

Thank you, apparently it appears my account has the following message:

"Your account is marked as using external assistance in games."

Interesting since I have been having a bit of a losing streak lately. I will obviously appeal, I appreciate the help.

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains

Hello Lichess Members,

I regret to inform that the appeal process is utter poppycock. I will attach the following transcript of my encounter with them here:

MelkorTrains
2 hours ago
Hello Moderator,.

I deny having used external assistance in my games. I am unsure how my account is flagged since no other details are provided.

I usually play chess as I cook or play games such as CS:GO, which may have triggered the cheating alert, I do recall playing against some players on CS:GO that my team accused of cheating. I also noticed that my last game my opponent refused to accept my forfeit after I could not stick around since my meal was ready so I ALT-Tabbed quickly to roll on boxes on CS:GO before checking if they have completed their moves. The opponent had what I believe is a Russian account due to the characters on their username and I do not discriminate but I unfortunately am aware of certain exploits that hackers can perform to make an account appear fraudulent for other players according to experience of my friends and colleagues.

I am performing a full system scan just to be safe on my end.

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains
MelkorTrains
51 minutes ago
Hello Moderator,

I have successfully completed a full system scan on my computer and found no threats.

I have linked and notified Steam as well in case it was some sort of cheating system from the CS:GO game that may have affected Lichess.org. If there is anything else I can do from my end to verify anything else since I am not savy with computers please let me know.

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains
Lichess
23 minutes ago
Your appeal has been denied, and the mark on the account will remain.

After carefully reviewing your case, we regret to inform you that the moderation team will not change the decision and will keep the original engine/external assistance flag on your account.

Our fair play policy is supported by robust detection methods and data. All appeals are handled by a team of experienced moderators who take the time to identify, consider, and discuss all relevant evidence before reaching a decision. Each appeal is decided on its own merits and no decision is made lightly.

To protect our methods and processes, we cannot engage in any further discussion about the decision, which is final. Our rights regarding moderation decisions are set out in our Terms of Service: lichess.org/terms-of-service.
MelkorTrains
in 41 seconds
Hello Moderation,

I do not understand. This appears to be done in bad faith although you mention "robust detection methods and data" you fail to present it to me in which is difficult for me to contest. Considering the quickness in this response I am unfortunately left to believe that this is an automated response despite what is stated on your appeal page.

I have not used any external source and you have provided no evidence of such. A final decision is made and I could not state my case because you lack the evidence of me playing with external sources. This is absurd, I wish to see this so called "relevant evidence" of these accusations. According to your page I am told to be honest and I was. I regret to say if this status does not change or if you cannot provide me proof of this "cheating" then I am forced to share my experiences with chess communities.

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains

I know without a shadow of a doubt I did not cheat, and they fail to present me any evidence of this so called "cheating". I have played chess for over 25 years and this is an insulting accusation. If I can reach out to a member of staff who is not an automated response I would like to see this so called "robust detection and data" that so haphazardly labelled me as "cheater".

Kind Regards,
MelkorTrains