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 !

 

[kittyk4y]

Last I knew, that was the case. But I can't remember if that's the case with this error code. People can certainly try if they want though, I think it will open up to the Transfer To/Transfer From selection screen.

Just want to put in my 2c (just joined so I can say this). I tried setting up a system transfer (don't have a 3ds to transfer to yet) and it passed all the internet checks. I AM banned. So, pretty sure a system transfer is possible when banned.

 

[sTo0z]

With that out of the way, here's my report:

System: Old 3DS
Running: B9S + latest Luma + 11.4
Status: Unbanned - Loaded friend list, went online, rebooted completely, went back to friend list successfully.
Additional info: This is a very lightly used system. Rarely online, has 0 friends on it. Minor freeShop use, that's about it. SpotPass/StreetPass are on. No save editing.

System: New 3DS XL
Running: B9S + latest Luma + 11.4
Status: Unbanned - Loaded friend list, went online, rebooted completely, went back to friend list successfully.
Additional info: Heavy freeShop use, rarely online, small friend list updated long ago. SpotPass/StreetPass are on. No save editing.

I have 2 more Old 3DS XL that are still on A9LH + 11.2 somewhere around here, but haven't checked them.

Just wanted to throw an update in here. I reported in that both my 3DS were NOT banned on the initial banwave day. Just checked again, and both are still UNBANNED. A quick note, between when I checked the first time and just now, I never used them, they were both powered down completely the whole time.

 

[Zaphod77]

For any who had their clean system banned. was it new, refurb, or used, and did you ALSO have a hacked one?

 

[ShadowEO]

Just want to put in my 2c (just joined so I can say this). I tried setting up a system transfer (don't have a 3ds to transfer to yet) and it passed all the internet checks. I AM banned. So, pretty sure a system transfer is possible when banned.

Then it's just the 022-2802 error code that prevents system transfers, good to know. Thanks!

Edit: I had messed with it during the SuMo wave after clearing 022-2802 from my old 3DS, but I didn't actually attempt a transfer. So good to know!

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

For any who had their clean system banned. was it new, refurb, or used, and did you ALSO have a hacked one?

We still have no absolutely verified reports of a clean system being banned. Veranek asked for some additional information from the latest report, but I'm not sure if any had been provided as of yet.

 

[TinchoX]

You should pirate everything Nintendo from now on to get back at them.

Yarrrrr, spoken like a true pirate!!

Update: old3ds still unbanned.

 

[Veranek]

Yarrrrr, spoken like a true pirate!!

Update: old3ds still unbanned.

No, they should refrain from doing anything illegal on their system if their case is actually true. Evidence that Nintendo is banning OFW too is important, imo.

 

[MhManBearPig]

That shouldn't happen. Where did you get the system?

My wife bought it brand new for me at Walmart, my old 3ds xl got stolen when our house was broken into, so it was like a "I'm sorry your old one got stole, and Happy anniversary!" kinda gift.

 

[Shamier]

These Nintendo fuckers have gone full retard after boot9strap came out.. I will never buy anything from stinky ninty again.

We're gonna hack the shit out of their bootrom and program some kind of ban protection as a form of retaliation.

Literally everything is possible now.

I'm pretty sure it's spotpass and friendlist "show what I'm playing" that resulted in bans.. a lot of people lie that their spotpass was turned off because they don't wanna look stupid.

It's the only thing we all have in common..

 

[NDTube04]

Most people freak out when they read this.

I, however, shrug, then shut off my wifi, then watch aDrive and Shiny Hunt.

 

[MhManBearPig]

Sorry to sound like I don't believe you, there have been many unfounded claims of unmodified 3DSes getting banned. I have a few questions for you, hopefully you can help us understand what happened to you.

1. Did you buy this 3DS new or used?
2. Has anyone other than you ever had access to your system for a long period of time?
3. Have you system transferred into the 3DS from a hacked 3DS?

Also, if this is true, I would be really mad, just like you. I'm sure that if Nintendo messed up they will be hard pressed to correct the error, because banning OFW users is the last thing they want to do.

It was bought brand new, no I couldn't system transfer because my old 3ds was stolen, I couldn't remember my login information, so I started a new NNID, only thing I ever did to it was buy a bigger SD card. No modding, no CFW, my 3ds was completely bone stock. I was on 11.4 as well! I looked into doing all the Hacks for my 3ds at one point in time, but that was years ago, because I knew something like this would eventually happen. So I never did anything like that. The only other person who used it was my 10 year brother, and if he managed to hack it, I'd be impressed, he doesn't even have a computer. He just played Monster Hunter and Ice Station Z on it all the time.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

For any who had their clean system banned. was it new, refurb, or used, and did you ALSO have a hacked one?

Mine was brand new when I bought it, fresh out of the box, had it for about 2 years so far. Never did a thing to it.

Have their been any claims of unjust bans on official Nintendo refurbished products? If data's been collected over the course of several months and people are just now being banned, I'm curious how that affects owners of a second hand 3DS. Would Nintendo's refurbish procedure prevent this possibility, or is it just a physical repair? Would Nintendo negligently sell a system on a timer and then refuse to help the customer when it's clearly their own fault?

That's how it feels to me, I'm just at a lose for words right now.

 

[RustInPeace]

These Nintendo fuckers have gone full retard after boot9strap came out.. I will never buy anything from stinky ninty again.

We're gonna hack the shit out of their bootrom and program some kind of ban protection as a form of retaliation.

Literally everything is possible now.

I'm pretty sure it's spotpass and the use of a NNID that resulted in bans.. a lot of people lie that their spotpass was turned off because they don't wanna look stupid.

It's the only thing we all have in common..

Some people claimed to not even have an NNID linked to the console and they still got banned. I swear by whatever God there is, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Arceus, that Spotpass was off at the time of banning. It was off at least 3 months when I formatted the console and did NAND restore stuff on February. I got this console on October 28, 2016, hacked it day one, and like all my other consoles when going through initial setup, I turned off Spotpass immediately after setting everything up. Most definitely it was off 99.999% of the time, with the remaining only being so due to default settings when going through initial setup. On the other hand, friends list app had the show titles being played setting left enabled, a really dumb move on my part, though I could've sworn I disabled it. That has to be the culprit in just my case (not generalizing it for everyone), my other 6 consoles have both settings off and no ban.

The only rage against Nintendo for me is if I have to repurchase things again on account of not being able to transfer, let alone use this NNID.

 

[Foxchild]

FWIW, my household has an o3ds xl, 2 o3ds's, and a 2ds. All of which were on a9lh for quite some time, then updated to boot 9 like the day after it came out. None of our consoles are banned. I THOUGHT we had info sharing turned off on them, but when I checked, it had been on the whole time. Also, friends list was set to show last game played, and I had my fav set to a FF 6 GBA cia I'd made like a year ago. So we're just lucky? Of note, we have never used freeshop, just cia's made from carts we own and some homebrew.

 

[Shamier]

Some people claimed to not even have an NNID linked to the console and they still got banned. I swear by whatever God there is, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Arceus, that Spotpass was off at the time of banning. It was off at least 3 months when I formatted the console and did NAND restore stuff on February. I got this console on October 28, 2016, hacked it day one, and like all my other consoles when going through initial setup, I turned off Spotpass immediately after setting everything up. Most definitely it was off 99.999% of the time, with the remaining only being so due to default settings when going through initial setup. On the other hand, friends list app had the show titles being played setting left enabled, a really dumb move on my part, though I could've sworn I disabled it. That has to be the culprit in just my case (not generalizing it for everyone), my other 6 consoles have both settings off and no ban.

The only rage against Nintendo for me is if I have to repurchase things again on account of not being able to transfer, let alone use this NNID.

It must be the "show what I'm playing" from the friendlist then..

Those are the only two things that nearly everyone had at least 1 enabled from.

 

[NDTube04]

Most people freak out when they read this.

I, however, shrug, then shut off my wifi, then watch aDrive and Shiny Hunt.

AAAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDDD I find my second shiny Mightyena. Why is the Sneasel evading me?

 

[Shamier]

FWIW, my household has an o3ds xl, 2 o3ds's, and a 2ds. All of which were on a9lh for quite some time, then updated to boot 9 like the day after it came out. None of our consoles are banned. I THOUGHT we had info sharing turned off on them, but when I checked, it had been on the whole time. Also, friends list was set to show last game played, and I had my fav set to a FF 6 GBA cia I'd made like a year ago. So we're just lucky? Of note, we have never used freeshop, just cia's made from carts we own and some homebrew.

No CFW? It must be Luma which caused the banwave then..
Very strange that your "show last played games" was turned on. So everyone who has been banned had Luma installed?

 

[KytuzuEX]

No CFW? It must be Luma then..
Very strange that your "show last played games" was turned on. So everyone who has been banned had Luma installed?

Of course, quite some time here.

But my two Old 3DSes didn't get the ban. Maybe was because I left them in despair. Little activity... after the damn Pokemon SuMo ban!
That's why I bought the Black Friday 3DS, separate from the Old 3DS, all fresh so new. Only gets banned after 5 months

 

[Majo-san]

It must be Luma which caused the banwave then..

It would make sense since it is noob friendly, that allows many people to install it without any problems

 

[ShadowEO]

No CFW? It must be Luma which caused the banwave then..
Very strange that your "show last played games" was turned on. So everyone who has been banned had Luma installed?

But not everyone who had Luma installed was banned.

I removed the previous quote because I thought it was a little out-there, but I agree with @Veranek the person with OFW should NOT modify their console! They should keep it as pristine as possible since it would be the first confirmed OFW console that has been banned. Could indicate that Nintendo is not actually targeting random CFW users, but something else entirely.

 

[Majo-san]

But not everyone who had Luma installed was banned.

Remember that we may get more bans this week.

 

[Windylacine]

I'm thinking about that protected firm could be the reason why Nintendo checks anyone else's modded 3DSes for that firm before banning theirs from online.

If it does, is it possible to mask the firm as updated and unprotected firm?