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 !

 

[AceDefective]

It's been debunked multiple times that this was the only cause.

I never said it was the only cause? And I'm sorry that I didn't read through 350 pages of thread before posting, lol.

 

[Aroth]

As long as the system wasn't returned to Walmart and sold as new.

Walmart has generally gotten better about refusing to accept returns on opened video game hardware, but it is still possible that someone bought a system, dumped the seed and returned it, then used the seed on their own system and later got banned, resulting in a ban for the poor dude who bought the returned system later.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

I'm kind of curious honestly. There was a question in the Docs poll about it but not here, how many people who got banned had downloaded Echoes? I mean, honestly I feel like they may have dropped a fake DLC in there, or at least been monitoring it; since the only ones able to download that DLC would be people using hacked 3DSes, that would be an obvious indicator that you were a hacker

This isn't true and how would only a hacker be able to download it. Couldn't any Japanese player get it? The thing with downloading from actual servers is that we need the title key and a few other things. Going to it through a shop would easily be available (Assuming Japanese players can use the DLC shop).

 

[Veranek]

As long as the system wasn't returned to Walmart and sold as new.

The post states that the console was bought more than 2 years ago. I don't see anyone hacking it and returning it to the store just to get a lfcs_b from it in that timeframe.

 

[Tokita]

Meh if we don't figure out what is the exact cause of the bans this time, Sure we'll figure it out next ban wave.
Have the feeling Nintendo is gonna throw Ban Waves once per month or something...

 

[AceDefective]

This isn't true and how would only a hacker be able to download it. Couldn't any Japanese player get it? The thing with downloading from actual servers is that we need the title key and a few other things. Going to it through a shop would easily be available (Assuming Japanese players can use the DLC shop).

No, what I mean is that when you try to download the DLC, it errors out because there are multiple DLC pieces that either don't exist yet or aren't even actual DLC.

I'm saying, what if Nintendo decided to watch for people attempting to download DLC that was not available on the eShop yet? Obviously if it's not on the 'shop you can't download it, but if you're using keys through a 3rd party server you could get something placeholder that's on Nintendo's servers that hasn't been enabled yet.

 

[Aroth]

The post states that the console was bought more than 2 years ago. I don't see anyone hacking it and returning it to the store just to get a lfcs_b from it in that timeframe.

was a N3DS XL too right? If my memory serves, 2 years ago was right in the middle of the whole "9.2 max hackable" thing, when we couldnt even UPDATE emunand past 9.5 on a N3DS, so you are probably right.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

No, what I mean is that when you try to download the DLC, it errors out because there are multiple DLC pieces that either don't exist yet or aren't even actual DLC.

I'm saying, what if Nintendo decided to watch for people attempting to download DLC that was not available on the eShop yet? Obviously if it's not on the 'shop you can't download it, but if you're using keys through a 3rd party server you could get something placeholder that's on Nintendo's servers that hasn't been enabled yet.

This wouldn't work. For us to see it it would have to be on the listed on the server. If it were then anyone who can access the DLC shop could see it, resulting in legit users being banned.

 

[time194]

Just went to test one of my inactive n3ds, when going into the friend list I get code error 002-0119 telling me to update since i'm still on 11.2.0.
Will this possibly ban me or will that not even matter if it already serverside on its way if I proceed to update?

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Just went to test one of my inactive n3ds, when going into the friend list I get code error 002-0119 telling me to update since i'm still on 11.2.0.
Will this possibly ban me or will that not even matter if it already serverside on its way if I proceed to update?

I doubt this will ban you. You would either be banned from the server regardless or not banned yet. Waiting is certainly understandable though.

 

[marbles73]

The post states that the console was bought more than 2 years ago. I don't see anyone hacking it and returning it to the store just to get a lfcs_b from it in that timeframe.

Yeah it's pretty unlikely someone did that. Getting Nintendo to budge on the ban would be rather difficult. They'll assume you're lying.

 

[BL4Z3D247]

Just went to test one of my inactive n3ds, when going into the friend list I get code error 002-0119 telling me to update since i'm still on 11.2.0.
Will this possibly ban me or will that not even matter if it already serverside on its way if I proceed to update?

Use ctr-httpwn and then you'll be able to check your Friends List without the 002-0119 error popping up.

 

[stomp_442]

Because not all modded consoles were banned. Please be constructive and on topic, attitudes are not required. Other than that, welcome to the thread!

This is what I'm talking about right here - https://gbatemp.net/threads/warning-about-posting-possible-exploits.351160/ I am being constructive, I loved playing my pirated games online with the Wii, but those days are over, the newer consoles are easier for Nintedno to patch their security flaws, and when it's posted in an open forum why somebody didn't get banned that should have got banned that's bad for everybody. Guaranteed the next update is going to be a bad one for the hackers. And, if you happen to find out (in an open forum) why somebody skated thru the ban wave without getting banned then so will Nintendo and they wont be so lucky with the next ban wave.

 

[Veranek]

This is what I'm talking about right here - https://gbatemp.net/threads/warning-about-posting-possible-exploits.351160/ I am being constructive, I loved playing my pirated games online with the Wii, but those days are over, the newer consoles are easier for Nintedno to patch their security flaws, and when it's posted in an open forum why somebody didn't get banned that should have got banned that's bad for everybody. Guaranteed the next update is going to be a bad one for the hackers. And, if you happen to find out (in an open forum) why somebody skated thru the ban wave without getting banned then so will Nintendo and they wont be so lucky with the next ban wave.

Hmmm. A lot of assertions and zero evidence. Also, no one here is posting about possible future exploits, they are talking about methods of removing the ban that have been known for 5 months now.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

I'm against users of modded consoles going online with them, mostly because I hate running into cheaters in online games. But if I wasn't against it then I sure wouldn't be discussing about this in an open forum, you know Nintendo watches these forums or somebody tells them about something posted here, and when you find out why some users areint banned then they will find out as well

A lot of cheats aren't done through modded consoles. Especially when save dongles like Powersaves and Cyber Save Editor exist (pkhex, getting infinite rocket launcher in RE Revelations Raid Mode to shoot at other players). Active codes for the 3DS do need some form of mod, but for the DS (and possibly Wii?) you just needed Action Replay or a similar device.

 

[marbles73]

Conversely, if we're lucky, the banwave was a one time thing incited by the Pokémon competition, Fire Emblem, B9S, NN2DSXL or any combination of those or something else as a scare and they won't be banning any further. We don't know what their plan is.

 

[Deleted User]

According to the latest report, the banwave covers system 11.2-11.4, 9.x etc with cfw installed, interestingly, some of the devices without modifications also being banned.
So I guess:
1. Nintendo eShop Server currently not really able to detect which device is connected to the server. Especially freeShop fetch game data through cache server.
2. I checked my software list in eShop, all my pirate games from freeShop marked as 'Purchased'.
3. Nintendo can get your software list(titles), but HBL, FBI, freeShop..etc such software not available in eShop may not visible apparently.
4. It may possible Nintendo judge the potential illegal device by checking 'Frequency of User Buying game'. Since It's impossible for users to buy dozens of games in a short period. And check may also connect with your redeem records

For those who not yet been banned CFW Users
I suggest you:
1. Getting online as less as possible even you're using cartridge.
2. TURN OFF: All SpotPass related settings; 'Share Information with Nintendo' in Friend List; head to eShop and turn off sharing settings (like receive new game notifications..)
3. DO NOT play pirate games online!
4. Upgrade your 3DS with offline technique
5. NO CHEATING
6. DON'T PLAY LEAKED GAMES AND GAMES ORIGINALLY NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR REGION!
7. Uninstall those illegal games (cross region) from your device

 

[viral777]

im banned, and nothing of value was lost.

 

[Windylacine]

im banned, and nothing of value was lost.

When have you played a game online since yesterday?

 

[viral777]

When have you played a game online since yesterday?

never play online.