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 !

 

[evilmart15]

Yes it is. The banwave seems to be over anyway so it's also safe to play online by now.

If you want to be THAT safe you can also backup your own seed and use a public one so you can use your own for emergencies.

seedsync.tumblr.com/current-seed

There is any topic about "seed" that I can access and learn? I am completely don't know about this seed hahaha, much sorry. Many thanks!

 

[Zekamon]

There is any topic about "seed" that I can access and learn? I am completely don't know about this seed hahaha, much sorry. Many thanks!

The seed is a file in your SysNAND that gets banned if you get a console ban. It's easily replacable with GM9.

There is not that much to learn. Your seed is registered in the servers within the manufacturing process. Everyone has a different seed because if two people have the same seed they both would get banned if one of them fucked up.

TLDR: If you use a public seed you can get banned if another user fucks up but its safer than using your own seed that you could use for emergencies.

 

[evilmart15]

The seed is a file in your SysNAND that gets banned if you get a console ban. It's easily replacable with GM9.

There is not that much to learn. Your seed is registered in the servers within the manufacturing process. Everyone has a different seed because if two people have the same seed they both would get banned if one of them fucked up.

TLDR: If you use a public seed you can get banned if another user fucks up but its safer than using your own seed that you could use for emergencies.

Done. I have replaced my seed with public seed so, if I get banned I just replace It with my genuine seed right? and If I want to use another seed where should I get one because from the website that you gave me It has only one seed to download.
Other question: Can I use this method on my another 3ds as well?

btw. I have downloaded the public seed from this website https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3_K44gl1qVeDBIbEI3TzNUeTg/view That's alright?

 

[Zekamon]

Done. I have replaced my seed with public seed so, if I get banned I just replace It with my genuine seed right? and If I want to use another seed where should I get one because from the website that you gave me It has only one seed to download.
Other question: Can I use this method on my another 3ds as well?

btw. I have downloaded the public seed from this website https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3_K44gl1qVeDBIbEI3TzNUeTg/view That's alright?

Yes you can replace it with your own seed if the public one goes down and yes you can use the public seed on many 3DSs. You can even use your own seed on your second 3DS if it's seed goes down also. But you know: The more 3DSs use one single seed the bigger chance there is getting banned but you should be safe right now if the banwave was just Nintys way of scaring people.

 

[evilmart15]

Yes you can replace it with your own seed if the public one goes down and yes you can use the public seed on many 3DSs. You can even use your own seed on your second 3DS if it's seed goes down also. But you know: The more 3DSs use one single seed the bigger chance there is getting banned but you should be safe right now if the banwave was just Nintys way of scaring people.

ok, right now is like, everybody shares this seed right now right? so, if this seed got banned somebody needs to upload the new seed, am I right?

BTW, Thank you so much on these information You are my savior hahaha

 

[fenderjaguar]

Still not banned been checking every so often N3DS 11.4 B9S luma 8.1. I don't have any 'friends' anyway, and I took the advice of doing what was suggested like turning spotpass off etc. Don't have NNID either

 

[Zekamon]

ok, right now is like, everybody shares this seed right now right? so, if this seed got banned somebody needs to upload the new seed, am I right?

BTW, Thank you so much on these information You are my savior hahaha

Yes if somebody has a spare 3DS and are willing to share their seed with others you will hear it somewhere eventually. You should join some 3DS Homebrew Discord Servers so you don't miss these stuffs.

Also no problem!

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

Still not banned been checking every so often N3DS 11.4 B9S luma 8.1. I don't have any 'friends' anyway, and I took the advice of doing what was suggested like turning spotpass off etc. Don't have NNID either

It seems like people without a linked NNID are not affected of bans.

 

[MollyChan]

This is possibility paranoia speaking, but what if that maintenance a few days ago could have been Nintendo collecting data regarding what consoles are connected to which NNIDs?
And then, possibly Nintendo could make this potential upcoming ban all the more severe by also banning Wii Us and Switches that are connected to a hacked 3DS?
Though I really hope not... I definitely don't want to get banned on all 3 consoles... And like I said earlier, the last banning kinda stopped all my 3DS homebrew usage, I only still have it on my console because the friend who put it on there for me in the first place said I may as well keep it "just in case"

 

[gonzohat]

My thought is and I could be wrong.Ninty has been collecting info for a while on hacked systems. So the more recent the hack the less likely the ban. I hacked mine a month before the ban am on 11.3 and never went online/kept wifi off after hacking. I'm not banned "yet" but even if I am in the future it's fair game broke tos so not a big deal in my opinion. I did have sharing on with Nintendo but was only online for maybe 10 min with hacked console I think they need time to collect data. I've since went online to update games still no ban.

 

[SomebodyElse]

I did have sharing on with Nintendo but was only online for maybe 10 min with hacked console I think they need time to collect data. I've since went online to update games still no ban.

lol dude it's not a movie. It doesn't take any time to send whatever metadata that your system is sharing with Nintendo. Any system that checks in with the servers would send all relevant information in a matter of moments, so if that's what they're using to select consoles to ban, it doesn't matter if it was 10 minutes or 10 hours. It could have been 10 seconds and that would have been plenty of time unless maybe you're on dial-up somehow.

 

[TsUnDeReAznGuY]

3 of my 3dses still not ban (yet). 2 USA and 1 Jpn. So maybe the banwave is over for now.

 

[MollyChan]

3 of my 3dses still not ban (yet). 2 USA and 1 Jpn. So maybe the banwave is over for now.

The banwave was over since last may, since it only really lasted a week
The current concern is, due to the current Pokemon Tournament (the first banwave was assumed to be in response to hackers entering the first Pokemon Tournament), and the fact that Nintendo has 3DS ONLY server maintenance scheduled RIGHT AFTER the current tournament ends (so, later today), that there may be a second banwave

 

[TsUnDeReAznGuY]

Ahh okay thanks for letting me know.

 

[gonzohat]

Actually the only time it was online was accessing hacks not Nintendo servers. Then sharing got turned off with the banwave ok nvmd.

 

[nitroBW]

Actually the only time it was online was accessing hacks not Nintendo servers. Then sharing got turned off with the banwave ok nvmd.

Anytime you are accessing the internet with your device, it automatically connects with Nintendo's servers. So unless you are using a black/whitelist, there is a chance of you being in their logs :s

 

[DatakadjrBkajsbr]

Short question:
Does it make sense to use public LocalFriendCodeSeedB and if needed recovery stock unbanned genuine on?

 

[Zekamon]

Short question:
Does it make sense to use public LocalFriendCodeSeedB and if needed recovery stock unbanned genuine on?

Yes it does make sense since you can save your own Seed. If you get banned with the public seed you don't actually lose anything. I just saved my genuine one and replaced it with the public one just in case.

 

[Darklys]

Yes it does make sense since you can save your own Seed. If you get banned with the public seed you don't actually lose anything. I just saved my genuine one and replaced it with the public one just in case.

This:

Why do people believe that using "public" LFCS_B keep you safe from banning? Given that the console serial is being sent along with LFCS_B to Nintendo, actually messing with the seed either to unban or as a preemptive measure is definitely asking for a hyperban. Recommending others to replace their LFCS_B on an NOT BANNED console is stupid.

And this

Agreed. Like, keeping backups of LFCS_B of systems you have but don't use anymore in case you eat a ban and need to switch is smart, but switching to the PUBLIC one when you have no reason to be using it is really, really stupid.

 

[DrkBeam]

Yes it does make sense since you can save your own Seed. If you get banned with the public seed you don't actually lose anything. I just saved my genuine one and replaced it with the public one just in case.

The next banwave could not be the same to the original, people sharing the same seed could get a hyperban, something currently cannot be fixed, better stay with the original seed in my opinion

 

[Plushie]

Is there a way to find out if my friendseedcode is banned without going online and risk Nintendo finding out I have been naughty?
Because that's my catch 22 at the moment...