UPDATE: Regarding the recent 3DS banwave

fb-3ds-400x400.jpg

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 !
 

TheDarkGreninja

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It doesn't matter if you view your usage as legitimate. The point is, you violate the ToS with CFW, and Nintendo reserves the right to terminate services based on that agreement.
And I disagree with that and find it corrupt that they can reserve that right.
I dont give two fucks if they can, its a matter of principle.
 

lunatiklucy

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I don't feel like reading 94 pages looking for an answer, but: Is this ban affecting all the Bootstrap Master race? Or also A9 users?
Can't tell because I never use On-line mode, and don't have any "freinds" to register (which is obvious because I don't do on-line game anyways)

I just hope to be able to download Ever Oasis in a few weeks, and that's it. :wub:

Both are affected apparently.
 

Funkymon

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I agree and it's why things like torrent clients aren't illegal even though they can be used to obtain illegal content. If something has an illegal use, but isn't marketed for that specific use, the program itself is not inherently illegal. It all depends on how you use it.

Modding isn't illegal either. But violating the online ToS means they can ban you from online play. It's a contract, not a question of legality. They can also ban you for swearing, in spite of you having free speech.
 

nitroBW

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Where did you hear that? I highly doubt it, but it'd be interesting (and a shame) if it were true.

Nintendo has to ask permission to gain information about your system. I doubt they can just receive a log of anything on your system without your permission.
They confirmed this, atleast when I called them. Also, most people even have sending usage information activated.
Even without this, the game itself seems to let them know if its an authorized copy
 

Funkymon

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They confirmed this, atleast when I called them. Also, most people even have sending usage information activated.
Even without this, the game itself seems to let them know if its an authorized copy

Games need to send information to Nintendo. It's quite possible that some of that info can help them determine if you should be banned.
 
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ecko

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And why shouldn't they adhere to the same morals that normal people do? That's corruption.
J
I'm pretty sure that if you were a developer and people pirated your software/game you would also do anything in your power to stop those. That's exactly what Nintendo is doing now.

You can try to bring your point across at different times in this thread, but that still won't change the fact that most here got banned.
Now, if you could stop complaining about why and start thinking about how people got banned, we may just find a way to circumvent it.
 

Orbiting234

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Because there are no legitimate purposes.

I don't know. Personally I feel that out of region gaming is a legitimate purpose. I'm still buying their games after all. Not my fault they are too lazy/dumb to release them in all areas. Their region locking on the 3DS family was just asinine.
 
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Kurausukun

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And I disagree with that and find it corrupt that they can reserve that right.
I dont give two fucks if they can, its a matter of principle.

They don't have to have a reason to ban you. When you bought the console and signed up for an account, you accepted an agreement that says then can ban you for literally any reason they want. If you don't like this, you can boycott their consoles if you want. Literally all game companies can do this, and it's not corrupt; you broke the terms of service.
 
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lordkaos

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Could it be that Nintendo now tracks what devices download games from their servers through freeshop and then checks the data against the purchase history of that same device?
 

TheDarkGreninja

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So, basically they should ban you from all the games you can cheat while playing online (which is all of them), rather than banning you online?

Erm, no. some games have online functionality that isnt PvP or PvE. Like why the hell should I be banned from wonder trade? Pokemon can detect an invalid pokemon.
 

LunarD3ATH

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They confirmed this, atleast when I called them. Also, most people even have sending usage information activated.
Even without this, the game itself seems to let them know if its an authorized copy
Support isn't at the top of the food chain. I'd be more inclined to believe it if it were from someone reputable within Nintendo's ranks, but you don't need to have any skill to be a customer service representative. That's why it's outsourced all the time to India and other over-the-seas nations. They literally just read off a manual and do what their bosses tell them.

Besides that, lots of people who have pirated have not been banned. Those would clearly be unauthorized. If Nintendo had this information before (which they would have if what you say is true), they'd have banned a lot of people a lot sooner.

I don't mean to sound confrontational, but that claim just doesn't hold water for me.
 

Majickhat55

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And if their terms are immoral?
That needs change.
Which would take a bunch of people to say, "Hey, this doesn't protect us as consumers spending our money on your products". Then they would maybe consider it. I mean like a legitimate petition, boycott etc. It would take the masses of masses, or a court hearing to get them to change their ToS. I don't see that happening.

There was the case with YouTube though, where Nintendo was stealing the revenue from Let's PLay's that features their games because their ToS and "intellectual property" and guess what? They got sued, and ending up having to split that revenue between YouTube, the creator and themselves.

Point is, just because a company does it, doesn't mean it's legal. ToS aren't laws, they are arbitrary regulations that can be inferred openly; especially in a court of law.
 

Daitor

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Well, accordding to live stream, they ban for playing game that is out of your region or using cfw. Point about region cathced my attention.
 

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I'm pretty sure that if you were a developer and people pirated your software/game you would also do anything in your power to stop those. That's exactly what Nintendo is doing now.

You can try to bring your point across at different times in this thread, but that still won't change the fact that most here got banned.
Now, if you could stop complaining about why and start thinking about how people got banned, we may just find a way to circumvent it.
Well the ban allows eshop access so piracy is still an issue.
 

TheDarkGreninja

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I'm pretty sure that if you were a developer and people pirated your software/game you would also do anything in your power to stop those. That's exactly what Nintendo is doing now.

You can try to bring your point across at different times in this thread, but that still won't change the fact that most here got banned.
Now, if you could stop complaining about why and start thinking about how people got banned, we may just find a way to circumvent it.

I'm not here to discuss piracy, it's a completely different beast entirely.
 

TinchoX

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I'm pretty sure that if you were a developer and people pirated your software/game you would also do anything in your power to stop those. That's exactly what Nintendo is doing now.

You can try to bring your point across at different times in this thread, but that still won't change the fact that most here got banned.
Now, if you could stop complaining about why and start thinking about how people got banned, we may just find a way to circumvent it.

HAH, I bet it ends up being a very silly, yet hilarious thing like modifying your game coins or whatever they are called... I've done that for Animal Crossing :/
 

mikagami

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I don't know. Personally I feel that out of region gaming is a legitimate purpose. I'm still buying their games after all. Not my fault they are too lazy/dumb to release them in all areas. Their region locking on the 3DS family was just asinine.
You can feel that all you want and that's okay, I'm sure many share your opinion, but the fact remains that CFW for any reason allows Nintendo to terminate your online services.
 

lunatiklucy

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Could this be related to using out of region software/DLC? I used a JP CFW 3DS until recently, and it's banned. I exclusively used OoR software on it. However, my NA CFW N3DS, I'm safe despite doing everything the same (except for OoR software.)
 

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