HUD ban question

So I keep hearing about these new sites cracking down on HUDs, even in regular cash games. I get that some folks were using them to get a big edge, but it seems like a lot of grinders are still finding ways around it, or at least claiming to. Is this actually making the games softer, or are we just trading one kind of shark for another? I’ve always been stubborn about doing things the hard way - just keeping my own notes and sticking to my routines. Curious what other regulars are seeing out there since the updates, especially if you play mostly mid-stakes.