Be wary of using any mods, and even third-party applications; results may include ban!
I'll just summarize everything because I know not all of you will want to read all that extra blah-blah-blah.
Of course, it was bound to happen. Niantic's view on PokeVision and other apps like that aren't very good in the favors of the ones who depend on it for catching their Pokemon.
As stated by John Hanke, Niantic CEO
"Yeah, I don't really like that. Not a fan. We have priorities right now but they might find in the future that those things may not work." and another quote also by Hanke
"People are only hurting themselves because it takes some fun out of the game. People are hacking around trying to take data out of our system and that's against our terms of service."
As stated, he mentions that the tools used for PokeVision, Yes not even bots and hacks simple apps like this may result in a ban. Niantic would be well within its rights to turn off those external services, if and when it chooses to as for
everyone agreed to when registering to play Pokemon Go.
Read the article here : http://www.businessinsider.com/pokemon-go-niantic-shut-down-pokevision-2016-7
Wait, what? A ban? Yeah possible bans will be placed, as for mentioned again using these kind of apps to help find and catch Pokemon is considered cheating and might result in bans.
"...attempt to access or search the Services or Content, or download Content from the Services through the use of any technology or means other than those provided by Niantic or other generally available third-party web browsers (including,
without limitation, automation software, bots, spiders, crawlers, data-mining tools, or hacks, tools, agents, engines, or devices of any kind)...."
which is within Pokemon Go's policy.
On the other hand, who will get banned? Starting off the back, apps like PokeVision most likely won't get you banned because they didn't require log-in information. If you used any third-app party applications
than the risk and chance of you being banned is a lot higher as for you used your GOOGLE account to log in, or even the PTC (Pokemon Trainer Club) account.
Read the article here: http://www.businessinsider.com/pokemon-go-iphone-and-android-map-apps-are-against-the-rules-2016-7
Is it safe to use bots & hacks? Coming from a personal point, you're logged into these bots with your PTC and GOOGLE accounts which makes it more easily to be detected. Like using ANY other mods/hacks there's always a chance
of being banned, which shouldn't be of any surprise. As of right now, NO PERMANENT bans have been given out. Only soft-bans which are prevention of receiving items from PokeStops and catching Pokemon
for a certain amount of time depending if you were botting, or fast-traveling. BUT, as for Niantic being a pretty big company, most likely they will take their security more seriously than other applications/games regarding hacks and cheating.