It appears that users are being banned from 3DS online services, en masse. There's no direct cause right now, and seemingly no linking factor. This post is meant as an announcement for users, to be wary, and that GBAtemp will keep you updated as soon as more info rolls in. If you have been banned, please post in the thread below, and we will try to keep tabs on the situation. To be extra sure, it can't hurt to turn off your 3DS's wireless capabilities, so you might as well do that for now.

Edit 1: it appears that e-Shop access isn't restricted if you are banned.

Edit 2: A caller to Nintendo reported that the company said this ban is due to "unauthorized software usage".

Edit 3: @LinkSoraZelda is collecting info. Contact him if you are banned.

Edit 4: Click and fill this out if you were BANNED.

Edit 5:

[11:28:19 PM] Clector: Curiously the page of that error in Nintendo Support website used to have this:Error Code: 002-0102 Situation: You receive the error code 002-0102 when attempting to connect online. What to Do: If you continue to experience this issue, please contact Nintendo by calling 1-800-255-3700. Representatives are available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pacific Time, 7 days a week.
[11:28:44 PM] Clector: Now it says this: What to Do: If you are experiencing this error code, your Nintendo 3DS family system has been banned due to unauthorized system modifications, play of unauthorized versions of one or more games, and/or connecting to the official game servers in violation of our terms of service. This ban is effective immediately and requests to remove the ban will not be processed.

Thanks to @Joom

Edit 6: Aurora Wright is taking another poll here

Edit 7: Not a lot is known but

There are bans happening, they are happening in all regions.
All models in the 3ds family seem to be candidates for banning.
There is no indication they will be anything other than permanent.
A game or DLC may end up being a cause but there is no one game or DLC that ties banned users together.
The cause or causes are as yet unknown, though it does seem to be related to modifications. Reports of unmodified consoles being banned are as yet unproven.
The banning is tied to something you can modify, thus you can unban. Doing it while the causes are unknown is likely only going to burn a working token though.
There are semi public tokens out there, Nintendo knows how to browse a forum as well as you so don't be surprised if they also get banned.
It does not seem to be limited to a given base firmware version, it does not seem to be limited to any one custom firmware type. There is some speculation that older hacking methods are not being hit as hard but nothing to confirm this yet.
The data collection could have happened this morning, or it could have been months in the making.
A simple check to see is checking your friends list, by itself it will not ban you.
Some are turning their wifi off. It is doubtful this will be of much use and being banned does not seem to come with any downsides that wifi being off will not also mimic.
You may have escaped a ban thus far but it could happen at any point. It could be that they stop in the future, it has happened on other consoles, but you would be living in hope rather than any particularly well founded logic.
The bans are done on the side of Nintendo's servers rather than your 3ds so there is also that.

If you hack your devices/games then their online functionality may be troubled. This has been known for decades, Nintendo seems to have finally caught up with that.

Please continue to share information with the thread or the links in previous edits.

Update 5/30

HOW TO HELP AVOID BANS (we think)​

If I was to guess from the information we have gathered since the ban wave, it seems likely that they are looking for TitleIDs that don't exist. Homebrew shows up in the activity log as the Download Play app, and fake CIA's show up as just ??????. That last one is what I'm guessing they are looking for.

If you are not banned yet or before you unban yourself, go into your friends list, choose settings, and turn off the option to "show friends what game you are playing." This will prevent you from playing games online with friends, so turn it back on when you wanna game with someone, but ALWAYS keep it off when running custom CIAs. Next, go into system settings -> internet settings -> spotpass, and turn off BOTH options. One is auto download software, the other sends system information to Nintendo. Also, make sure you don't have your favorite title set to something stupid like FBI or any other non-Nintendo CIA.

Its VERY likely that these options are what tipped off Nintendo, but we aren't 100% certain yet. The amount of banned people that had one of these options turned on was over 80% for each. If I was to assume that some of those people overlap, its very possible (but not confirmed) that 100% of banned people in the survey had at least one of those options turned on. I personally had all of them off and I have TONS of reasons for Nintendo to ban me.... yet I am not banned (yet).

Another bit of advice: Only run custom CIAs when offline, and after you close them, run a "legit" game like Smash Bros. or something before shutting down or going back online. This way your most recent title won't show up as a fake CIA

Current Theories as to what causes a ban
​

* SpotPass Settings: 8 users out of 46 users that were banned have SpotPass completely shut off, or SpotPass only (no friends list visibility)
* Firmware Version (Luma, Nintendo): Literally all reports ranged from 10.2+, I can get exact numbers for this if you'd like, but all firmwares were affected.
* Firmware Type (A9LH, B9S): 44 of the 126 B9S users that answered were banned, pattern was mirrored for A9LH users as well.
* Homebrew Titles such as FBI, HBL, Luma Updater, Themely, and freeShop: Literally about 98% of users both banned and unbanned had some combination of these applications installed. However the common ones were: FBI, HBL, LumaUpdater and NTR.
* Save Modification: Equal amounts of users on both sides have reported save modification in some form, either with PKSM or another save editor
* System Transfers: 188 users said that they had not previously system transfered, 61 of those users were banned; 16 users said they transferred from a hacked console, only three of them received a ban; 13 said they transferred from a stock system and likewise were banned. The rest of our sample did not answer this question.
* Activity Log Information: A majority of those who have not been banned have said they had NOT cleaned their activity logs. I can get exact numbers for this too on request.

This information is just what I've found. Like I said, there could be variables or things we haven't even checked for yet. But these are things that I feel should be disproven, at least with the current dataset we have.

• From the information that we've gathered from some people that have used a packet sniffer such as WireShark, the following data is sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers as soon as the 3DS connects to the internet:
  • Amount of time spent online (timer stops when either the system is disconnected from the internet, or connection drops out, then starts the timer again in a new session when it reconnects to the internet).
  • The game being played and amount of time spent on it during that session.
  • The console's unique hexadecimal ID used in the LocalFriendCodeSeedB, along with it's RSA-signed signature.
  • The console's serial number in which is broadcasted from the SoC and is hard coded in the SoC.
  • Friend Code generated on the Nintendo 3DS system, if one has been generated.
  • Internet connection status (either online or offline).
  • The Nintendo Network ID, if there is one linked to it.
  • Even if the sending of SpotPass Information is switched off, or even hiding your currently playing games. It does not prevent the system from sending currently playing information to Nintendo's online gaming servers, it only hides it from your friends in your friend list (like being invisible on the forum, while mods and admins can still see you). Why? Because even people without a Friend Code on their system have been getting banned too!

• The following data is NOT sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers:
  • The data from the Nintendo 3DS's Activity Log. Oddly enough, while Nintendo does explicitly state that they collect Activity Log data, they're actually referring to their own server's Activity Log, which always tracks every console's online activity, and keeps a record of them that is stored forever. And is only collected in increments of data through a timer and a currently playing list.
    
  • Games or apps that have not been played, regardless if they're legitimate or not. You only get tracked when you're online and using that game or app.
  • Using games or apps while offline. Even though it is stored on the 3DS console's Activity Log, that data is NOT sent to Nintendo's online gaming servers.
  • Custom Firmware. Though we can't rule out the possibility of them releasing a 3DS update in the future that adds such function to collect MD5 hashes of files and FIRM data and send them to Nintendo online gaming servers (which would also be updated in a maintenance).

• Things that people think what happens with consoles, but really doesn't:
  • "LocalFriendCodeSeedB is transferred to the system upon doing a system transfer". This is false, the LocalFriendCodeSeedB remains on the system and does not move to another system.
  • "The console generates a LocalFriendCodeSeedB upon first startup". Again, this is false, the LocalFriendCodeSeedB is made during the manufacturing process at Foxconn. It is generated at the factory, flashed to the NAND flash memory storage, then created as an account on Nintendo's online gaming server and Nintendo eShop server immediately when being manufactured. It is absolutely impossible to generate a LocalFriendCodeSeedB and be able to connect to Nintendo's online gaming server and/or Nintendo eShop server, even if you knew the RSA generation key for it. You'd end up with Error Code 002-0102 "This console's online services have been restricted by Nintendo" if you even tried (the error can either mean two things: The hexadecimal ID doesn't exist on the server, or the request to access the hexadecimal ID has been denied which in other words... banned). So a LocalFriendCodeSeedB generator will NEVER happen! Because it's not worth doing, if it can't connect.
  • Switching off "Currently Playing" information. Once again, this does not hide your online activity from Nintendo's online gaming server, it only hides it from your friends.
  • Switching off SpotPass. Nope, this too doesn't hide your online activity from Nintendo's online gaming server, it only opts-out of receiving SpotPass data, sorry.

So pretty much the bottom line is, if anyone has been using custom apps and/or titles not installed through Nintendo eShop while online in the past, guess what? You're screwed! And it is only a matter of time before your console's unique hexadecimal ID in the LocalFriendCodeSeedB is banned from Nintendo's online gaming server. This will mean, your console can't access the Friend List or play any online functions in games.

If you have been online while using custom apps and/or titles not installed through Nintendo eShop and haven't been banned yet, that's because Nintendo hasn't caught up to you yet. They're still going through each unique hexadecimal ID's Activity Log on their server, and by Activity Log, I mean the Activity Log on their server, not the 3DS console's activity log. And it will be only a matter of time before you're banned too.

Thanks to @Platinum Lucario @MadMageKefka and @ShadowEO !

 

[TinchoX]

Darn
Would there be any possible way to get my data on to an OFW new N3DS without getting that one banned too?

I don't know for sure, maybe by manually deleting certain titles that nintendo might recognize as "foreign" you COULD avoid getting re-banned, but who knows?? I'm speculating you know.
It could be... or it could be not.

 

[nitroBW]

The more you post in here the more I realize you just keep continuing to post for counts. Please stop. You aren't helping the situation with ideas, and seem to use anything someone says as truth concerning their bans. Also probably think it's spotpass, yet many of us who leave it on aren't banned. And don't say YET cuz if it was a wave, the banning would be more stable in the numbers, not well 2 hrs I could, now I cant.....that would be detection and actions, not a wave.

Sure, kid. But if people are asking the same questions over and over again, people will answer over and over again, which is what I'm doing.
I couldn't care less about a shitty number on my profile, but it doesn't matter WHO answers their question, since it ends up being the same answer.

You see, it was a wave at first and then others got banned after some time, but everyone is calling it a wave, since most bans were over 1 night, or atleast that's what it seems like.
Spotpass causing Nintendo to know about CFW has been suspected numerous times, you complain about me farming, even though I'm repeating answers, I've posted days ago, when you are doing the exact same thing: repeating what has already been said.
Currently all we can do is disprove crazy theories and false hopes, which is what I'm doing.
Even IF it was farming, I am still correctly answering their questions and staying on-topic.

Stop complaining and contribute to the topic yourself.

 

[Captain_N]

it really seems that there is many different things that would cause the ban. i wouldnt doubt that using ofw and ctr-httpwn can do it also. that hack bypases the online checks. i bet they record your firmware version, then the server suddenlly sees your up to date, then you turn off your 3ds. nexrt time you turn it on the server sees the same 3ds back on older firmware. they have to be recording this. I could test this. my new3ds is on 10.7 ofw and never had any custom firmware. i only installed some "legit" CIAs and used ctr-httpwn to play online games and acess the eshop for updates. I dont play pokemon either
If im banned then it has to do with 2 things only the legit CIAs and httpwn.

 

[noctis90210]

does this include pokemon shuffle? i downt want to go online on pokemon core games, im afraid i might get banned if i opend those games while online...
but how do i check if im banned or not?

im playing pokemonshuffle everyday, check in everyday, does it mean if i check in successfuly, im not banned? thanks and have a nice day...

 

[MollyChan]

I don't know for sure, maybe by manually deleting certain titles that nintendo might recognize as "foreign" you COULD avoid getting re-banned, but who knows?? I'm speculating you know.
It could be... or it could be not.

Hmmm.. deleting those titles from the extdata? How would I go about doing that?
I suppose I could easily unlink my NNID before I get banned and once I have a new N3DS to re-link it to, but I'm mainly considered with data left on the 3DS itself that does not come with the NNID, like StreetPass and the Activity Log

 

[kassoro17]

Guys, I need help. I have a o3ds with CFW the has been banned, but in this system I have some original games bought form shop. I also have a New 3ds system without CFW. Can I transfer de original game data to this system without ban risk?

 

[TinchoX]

does this include pokemon shuffle? i downt want to go online on pokemon core games, im afraid i might get banned if i opend those games while online...
but how do i check if im banned or not?

im playing pokemonshuffle everyday, check in everyday, does it mean if i check in successfuly, im not banned? thanks and have a nice day...

It's been answered a dozen times before: The only way to know whether you are banned or not, is GOING ONLINE and checking if a message pops up or not.
It's not a process that WILL GET YOU BANNED, rather it will TELL YOU if you are banned or not.

 

[zombigrn]

it really seems that there is many different things that would cause the ban. i wouldnt doubt that using ofw and ctr-httpwn can do it also. that hack bypases the online checks. i bet they record your firmware version, then the server suddenlly sees your up to date, then you turn off your 3ds. nexrt time you turn it on the server sees the same 3ds back on older firmware. they have to be recording this. I could test this. my new3ds is on 10.7 ofw and never had any custom firmware. i only installed some "legit" CIAs and used ctr-httpwn to play online games and acess the eshop for updates. I dont play pokemon either
If im banned then it has to do with 2 things only the legit CIAs and httpwn.

I was using ctr-httpwn to play pokemon from freeshop until two days ago that i updated. I was on 11.2 before updating and my 2ds is still going

 

[SaffronXL]

Can I transfer de original game data to this system without ban risk?

No
EDIT: You CAN transfer your game saves using jksv, though. That's what I would do.

 

[TinchoX]

Hmmm.. deleting those titles from the extdata? How would I go about doing that?
I suppose I could easily unlink my NNID before I get banned and once I have a new N3DS to re-link it to, but I'm mainly considered with data left on the 3DS itself that does not come with the NNID, like StreetPass and the Activity Log

That'd be useless, they'd know you transferred from one system to the other by your IP address silly, sender and receiver will connect to one another, Nintendo is surely aware of this.

 

[A Plus Ric]

Sure, kid. But if people are asking the same questions over and over again, people will answer over and over again, which is what I'm doing.
I couldn't care less about a shitty number on my profile, but it doesn't matter WHO answers their question, since it ends up being the same answer.

You see, it was a wave at first and then others got banned after some time, but everyone is calling it a wave, since most bans were over 1 night, or atleast that's what it seems like.
Spotpass causing Nintendo to know about CFW has been suspected numerous times, you complain about me farming, even though I'm repeating answers, I've posted days ago, when you are doing the exact same thing: repeating what has already been said.
Currently all we can do is disprove crazy theories and false hopes, which is what I'm doing.
Even IF it was farming, I am still correctly answering their questions and staying on-topic.

Stop complaining and contribute to the topic yourself.

Your try to discredit every issue other than spotpass. Yet many of us with it on, have had no problems, and still have it on. You call me a kid, yet you use words like "jews" to describe stuff, and seem to think save editing is not a form of cheating......and for someone who hasn't been banned, you've been nonstop in here all day, getting that post count up, usually just discrediting any theories because you think it can't be that, but don't think knowing all aspects of banned users (which u decided to dump on essentially) will figure the answer out.

Being constructive is not "that can't be...nintendo is just mean and will ban u cuz they don't like you.....it's in their TOS".

BEING CONSTRUCTIVE IS, however, wanting to know the past week or two all games played and details on cheat used, other CIAS installed....but hey, u just wanna discuss nintendos TOS and friend code injects, cool.

 

[Captain_N]

I was using ctr-httpwn to play pokemon from freeshop until two days ago that i updated. I was on 11.2 before updating and my 2ds is still going

ok heres what im gonna do. im gonna use httpwn and play some monster hunter. i wont go into friends list and see if it bans me lol.

 

[BL4Z3D247]

@MollyChan, this is how I cleared my PTM and Activity Log. I'm not sure if it'll make a difference, only time will tell.

Use godmode9 and delete follow.
This will wipe your log and mini plaza records. Keep a nand backup if you mess up.
PTM and Activity Log savegames.
\data\{random id}\sysdata\00010022\
\data\{random id}\sysdata\00020212\(This is for a US 3DS. The ID for JPN is 00020202 and for EUR 00020222)

 

[MollyChan]

That'd be useless, they'd know you transferred from one system to the other by your IP address silly, sender and receiver will connect to one another, Nintendo is surely aware of this.

So, is there anything I can do at all? I'm upset to find my seemingly brilliant idea would not work at all...
Or do I just wait and hope that I'm safe from this new ban?

 

[TinchoX]

ok heres what im gonna do. im gonna use httpwn and play some monster hunter. i wont go into friends list and see if it bans me lol.

You can do that, I'd wish you good luck, but it does not depend on whether you are "Lucky" or not, if you are banned, the console will let you know, not checking your friends list might only delay the inevitable.

 

[SRKTiberious]

So, how difficult is it to modify secureinfo_a, and what pitfalls exist? I'm most interested in changing the serial number in case mine got hit (though I haven't even had it on for a while; only to upgrade to B9S recently). I have a couple stock 3DS serials available to me, and am interested in using those should I have been hit.

 

[MollyChan]

@MollyChan, this is how I cleared my PTM and Activity Log. I'm not sure if it'll make a difference, only time will tell.

I don't want to wipe the data completely, I only want to remove all the data relating to homebrew apps

 

[ShadowEO]

Your try to discredit every issue other than spotpass. Yet many of us with it on, have had no problems, and still have it on. You call me a kid, yet you use words like "jews" to describe stuff, and seem to think save editing is not a form of cheating......and for someone who hasn't been banned, you've been nonstop in here all day, getting that post count up, usually just discrediting any theories because you think it can't be that, but don't think knowing all aspects of banned users (which u decided to dump on essentially) will figure the answer out.

Being constructive is not "that can't be...nintendo is just mean and will ban u cuz they don't like you.....it's in their TOS".

BEING CONSTRUCTIVE IS, however, wanting to know the past week or two all games played and details on cheat used, other CIAS installed....but hey, u just wanna discuss nintendos TOS and friend code injects, cool.

I agree with you on this, I have SpotPass turned on and set to default values on two different consoles. If a deciding factor was your SpotPass settings, those (all) of us with it set to defaults and sending Nintendo console usage information should reasonably have been banned. I know they could have staggered said ban, but reasonably, there'd be no reason to stagger it if they had a reliable source of information. They didn't stagger the banwave back during SuMo, it would stand to reason that they wouldn't entirely stagger it now either, unless they had a reason.

 

[SaffronXL]

ok heres what im gonna do. im gonna use httpwn and play some monster hunter. i wont go into friends list and see if it bans me lol.

That is unlikely to tell us anything, unless you're banned straight out, which seems unlikely. It's more likely you'd be added to a list to be banned during some future wave.

 

[zombigrn]

@MollyChan, this is how I cleared my PTM and Activity Log. I'm not sure if it'll make a difference, only time will tell.

Doubt it will since your activity log has been reported to Nintendo already