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 !

 

[stl25]

@stl25 As if homebrew's the only issue. Go while about people who use powersave, and take the salt elsewhere.

Your post only strengthens my stance on the issue. I do not think I am being salty or a hypocrite. Is powersave an official Nintendo product? I leave you to answer this for yourself.

 

[Inochi.no.Zenmai]

Sony and Microsoft did this, and they have been quite efficient. Nintendo finally have stepped up their game.

Hopefully a solution will be found, or at least we'll know what is triggering the bans. I haven't checked if I'm banned in any of my consoles but honestly I don't feel the urge to.

 

[stl25]

I'm not banned yet. On a9lh and luma 6.6, with latest firmware update. Just went through and disable spotpass to be safe.
Don't have freeshop, but do have things like jk's save manager. Waiting to see what will happen now. I deleted all my CIAs from my activity log.

If I do get banned though, how are people getting unbanned?

Get a new 3DS/2DS and don't hack if you value online play. Glad I could be of assistance. No salt required.

 

[Fsm51]

There are countless threads of online users using cheats and mods which ruins the overall experience for legit players. Those legit players either have to stoop to this level or stay the course and hope Nintendo bans the offenders. I know if I was Nintendo and I allow this to happen I run the risk of losing customers on future consoles/handhelds so obviously they need to go after violations of TOS in an aggressive manner.

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

 

[stl25]

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

I see your point but with no official way to stream 3DS to a PC, I assume you are using a homebrew method to achieve this. If not my apologies.

 

[Joom]

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

Here you go. This is an anti-cheat NTR plugin for MK7 that negates online cheaters.

 

[deso_001]

the new2ds is about to come out, as long as you get your nnid on it is ok, if you can't just make a new one except most of your games are digital download (which i am). Luckily tittle such as monhunt,pokemon,ssb4 i got are physical copies.

 

[LucarioWolf]

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

Reminds me when I seen a player doing the slender all over the map like a driver way who was way over the buzzed driving limit ( he's drunk )

 

[Memie]

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

Honestly. I understand that hacking is not well-viewed by Nintendo, or any videogame company for that matter, but come on, most CFW users don't even go online while there are people hellbent on ruining others' online experiences with hacks such as the ones you mentioned. I myself have encountered several hackers such as those and, as a hacker myself, I do not find that enjoyable. This is one of the reasons I only hack games such as ACNL, because I can benefit myself without damaging anyone's experience, plus I can offer a few items and Bells for my friends
In any case, it's nice to see they're finally taking action on these matters, but they should know by now that hackdevs will always find a way around it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[disasterwaiting]

Earlier today while playing MK7 I came across this guy using an item hack... he used a mushroom to dodge a blueshell and then inmediately held a banana behind him (which, if you know how Mario Kart 7 works, can't be done) he also shot a blueshell while I was holding one (the game WONT allow more than one blueshell at a time)... And (this may be biased, but...) I think he was also using a speedhack, even for Metal Mario, he was going WAY too fast... This kind of people should be getting banned, not people streaming theirs 3DS to a PC. what the hell, Nintendo?

Offline=Okay Online=no no

 

[kettarou]

A9LH+LUMA 11.4
spotpass on
freeshop, FBI, JK'S save editor and CHMM installed
Around 7 cias installed
Pokemon sun&moon save edited

NOT BANNED

 

[LunarXDiviner]

@stl25
Cheating is cheating, and cheating is what you're whining about. I don't cheat at the games I play, but there are other legitimate uses for homebrew, and under (at least the US) law, modification of something you have bought and paid for is allowed. Nintendo, being an overprotective Japanese company fails to understand this (just like with youtube monitization and fair use of their content).
And I haven't been banned yet either, so it's no skin off my back.

 

[stl25]

@stl25
Cheating is cheating, and cheating is what you're whining about. I don't cheat at the games I play, but there are other legitimate uses for homebrew, and under (at least the US) law, modification of something you have bought and paid for is allowed. Nintendo, being an overprotective Japanese company fails to understand this (just like with youtube monitization and fair use of their content).
And I haven't been banned yet either, so it's no skin off my back.

Not only cheating, online play from cia or Flashcart, out of region cia or Cart, and yes homebrew in any form. You haven't been banned yet ( key word YET) so also no skin off any GBATemp members back.

 

[SoslanVanWieren]

Can they detect homebrew on ofw though

 

[LunarXDiviner]

@stl25
Really don't get why you're intent on white-knighting nintendo. Needlessly hostile.

 

[munchy_cool]

anybody heard of a customer care call recording taken down from youtube?

 

[stl25]

@stl25
Really don't get why you're intent on white-knighting nintendo. Needlessly hostile. (Original post from LunarXDiviner)

If I was white-knighting Nintendo would my signature look the way it does. I am simply defending their position on the TOS for their online services. A ban has no effect on your system if you stay offline. Please ACTUALLY READ my posts and comprehend my stance.

 

[LunarXDiviner]

@stl25
I did, but that's the issue. I really only play games to play with other people anymore. Why else would I breed and train competitive pokemon? Never mind the people foolish enough to keep their good pokemon in Bank. They're screwed. (I don't, I never trusted Bank).
Banning people from accessing stuff like bank is kind of indefensible if they're going to let you access the eshop.

 

[DashAhead]

Haven't been banned yet.
Used CFW, spotpass was on, and had apps like CHMM and freeshop. Actually got banned last wave for Pokemon, and used the friendcode of my single other system - hopefully I don't have to go get another.

 

[JerryShaw]

Is there some kinds of survey of being banned with HB CIAs' installation and sharing playing titles with friends?