Those that decide to hack their systems know that there's always the chance of either bricking, or banning. Many of those that installed CFW or installed unauthorized software onto their Nintendo 3DS systems faced an online ban, back in 2017. With exploits and modchips becoming the talk of the town, and the Switch scene progress in general, there's the growing question of "what about bans?".

It began with known Switch hacker Shiny Quagsire finding out that their Switch had been banned. That alone is shocking, but not only was one of their systems banned, but two. They received error code 2124-4007 on their alleged non-hacked Nintendo Switch.

Huh, 2124-4007 on my not-hacked Switch. Wonder what that's about.

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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The screen suggests users to contact Nintendo Support with the error code, which the user in question did. Below, are two alleged chat sessions regarding the error code.

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One of the responses was that the ban would not be lifted, and that the End User License Agreement had been broken. This error code prevents those from accessing the eShop, online gaming, or the friend list and social aspects. Updating or patching one's game still functions, however.

Banned unit count is at 2, current suspicion: libnx errors getting reported.

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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ShinyQuagsire then attempted to play Splatoon 2, and successfully voted for a team during the Splatfest, but trying to play a match brought back the same error code once more, stating that online features were restricted by Nintendo. It was then revealed that the "unhacked" Switch had once run the Homebrew Launcher, as well as PegaSwitch, the latter of which is an exploit toolkit that can write custom code to the system.

only correlation between my banned unit and the other in our group is libnx error codes being in the settings log, never did crazy save edits/cheating/weird online stuff, both had client certs dumped but I don't think it's that, they're not rejected

— Shiny Quagsire (@ShinyQuagsire) May 19, 2018

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Later, another Switch hacker, SciresM also spoke up about his own console getting banned. CDN was cited as a potential cause, though ShinyQuagsire wasn't so sure, as the last time they'd done anything regarding that was months ago, meaning Nintendo could have retroactively banned them, or is only going after them now.

This is the console cert I've been using for *all* CDN exploration since June of last year. I'm not surprised in the slightest, tons and tons of invalid requests have been sent from this one. I also updated the console to 5.0.1 when that released.

— Michael (@SciresM) May 22, 2018

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CDN, "Content Distribution Network", as described by Nintendo themselves is

Content delivery network providers enable faster video streaming and support the delivery of content you have requested, e.g. when using Nintendo eShop, by using a system of distributed servers that deliver the content to you, based on your geographic location. We may therefore share your information (including your IP address) with our third party content delivery network providers that provide content delivery network services in connection with Nintendo Account Services, Nintendo Network and the official Nintendo website, some of which may act as third-party data processors only

CDN downloaders had been used to download content directly to a computer from Nintendo services, and currently, this is what is considered to have most likely caused the bans at this time. Shiny Quagsire also knows another user who had a Switch banned, which never used the Homebrew Launcher, but did access and mess with the CDN. At this time, only Switch hackers appear to have been affected, not the average user. If more information becomes available, this post will be updated to include such.

 

[DeslotlCL]

*snip*
Funny because the non piraters got banned first.

Piracy doesnt matter now, everyone will get banned eventually... hopefully the anti-piracy behavior of some devs could stop since it doesnt matter anymore...

 

[NyaakoXD]

Shiny Quagsire also knows another user who had a Switch banned, which never used the Homebrew Launcher, but did access and mess with the CDN.​

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Well, this makes it even more convincing that the CDN shouldn't be messed with.

 

[MasterJ360]

I know 1 thing Verlisify and his legion fanbase is thrilled this is happening

 

[Kourin]

Feel iffy about hacking mine for save dumping/injecting now-

 

[RivenMain]

I know 1 thing Verlisify and his legion fanbase is thrilled this is happening

You bet I'm happy

 

[zwq939681378]

I just want to use emulators instead of playing piracy games……

 

[Lacius]

Is Shiny Quagsire suggesting that the second Switch that got banned (the semi-virgin Switch) got banned because of PegaSwitch?

 

[Noctosphere]

welp
that makes me worry about getting my switch banned
Guess I wont hack it before a long while and keep buying games

 

[Alkéryn]

If you ban people that did nothing wrong, then do not wonder why they will pirate afterwards

 

[RustInPeace]

It began with known Switch hacker Shiny Quagsire finding out that their Switch had been banned. That alone is shocking, but not only was one of their systems banned, but two. They received error code 2124-4007 on their alleged non-hacked Nintendo Switch.

The screen suggests users to contact Nintendo Support with the error code, which the user in question did. Below, are two alleged chat sessions regarding the error code.

Familiar journalism thing where that kind of word is used for some reason despite things being 100% fact. I notice it often even in mass shootings, like the recent one in Texas. "Alleged shooter." Really?

Anyways it's a bit fascinating to follow this development.

 

[Deleted User]

Nintendoes what Bluehole doesn't.

 

[Chary]

Familiar journalism thing where that kind of word is used for some reason despite things being 100% fact. I notice it often even in mass shootings, like the recent one in Texas. "Alleged shooter." Really?

Anyways it's a bit fascinating to follow this development.

Alleged because by the end of the post it turned out that they had actually run some minimal amounts of hombrew, so it wasn't actually a "pure Switch" like the original claim, which confused a LOT of people and news sites.

 

[Espurrisgrand]

So, I'm having trouble understanding. What caused the ban is using a CDN downloader with the Switch credentials loaded into it basically, right? People who used the same thing, but for 3DS are safe as long as their Switch has no homebrew on it or the hacked 3DS' account on it? I'm getting a Switch hopefully this month and don't want it to be insta-banned. Besides all this though, I'm somewhat glad Nintendo is enforcing their guidelines.

 

[Stephano]

Can we ban people who make threads saying "Help, I've been banned. Can I get unbanned?" ?

 

[brickmii82]

“Alleged” is used when sources are not verifiable. Usually in instances where informal statements have been made. “Alleged” was used until the police made an official statement, at which point all articles involving the shooter simply used “shooter.”

 

[Xzi]

Damn, first bans came in quick. They might crack down on Switch a lot harder than 3DS.

 

[RustInPeace]

Alleged because by the end of the post it turned out that they had actually run some minimal amounts of hombrew, so it wasn't actually a "pure Switch" like the original claim, which confused a LOT of people and news sites.

Fair enough but "Alleged chat sessions." It sounds like journalism lingo that is mostly off-putting.

 

[brickmii82]

Fair enough but "Alleged chat sessions." It sounds like journalism lingo that is mostly off-putting.

How is it off-putting? No one can currently verify with Nintendo that this chat session took place, so it remains “alleged.”

 

[OctolingRift]

Guys chill. This is just because their console accessed CDN. Homebrew is 100% safe dw

 

[RustInPeace]

How is it off-putting? No one can currently verify with Nintendo that this chat session took place, so it remains “alleged.”

Then take Shiny Quagsire's word for it, I don't doubt it at all. At first looking at just the image shared without a screenshot of the tweet that posted the image made me wonder, but other than the "non-hacked" comment, this person is obviously reporting as much truth as possible, and as much info as can come, along with theories and stuff.

I'm free to criticize one's journalistic reporting skills.