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 !

 

[MollyChan]

I think you're talking about my post
I have to tell you that the source of that are dubious at best (a latin america facebook page), and so far I have seen no confirmation of this working.
I would wait for more information

Yeah, from what I read, it seemed dubious
I'll definitely wait to see if more information on the matter happens

If you got banned, and unban yourself, even by replacing your current nand with a "Clean" one will only make you waste your time. Nintendo already knows YOUR CONSOLE has been compromised and will re-apply the ban on the newer nand.

I guess this could also be the case

I kinda wish there was a way of getting a message to Nintendo that, while one may have modified their console before, they would b completely willing to remove said modifications if that means no ban, but it seems the 3DS hacking community is out of second chances

Really, this ban would only affect me if it affects Miiverse, or if a new Pokemon game comes out.

I would presume the ban wouldn't be able to be avoided if one does a factory reset of their 3DS, as the console itself is still the same. Not like I would do that, I don't want to lose all my 6 year old 3DS data

Would one be able to system transfer their data on to an unhacked 3DS console to avoid the ban? Assuming they, of course, make sure none of the CFW mods come along with the system transfer

 

[dinoson631]

Dafuq dude. The point is, that unbanned 3ds stays offline for not getting banned. On an already banned 3ds it doesn't mind to get banned. But u simply not get, that we want to find a work around, and circumvent the ban. We can already unban a 3ds, but untill we don't know how to circumvent the ban it's useless to kill seeds. And if u are in cfw, isn't it easier to stay offline, not get an ban, and then circumvent it. More easier than turn on and beg for ban.

lol THANK YOU xD finally some logic and reason

 

[MushGuy]

There are people being unbanned as well and they did nothing to unban theirselves. They just found out that their ban had been lifted. Some of them use CFW and use Freeshop.

Also, I asked before if anybody received an Spotpass Notification saying that you can't use StreetPass, Spotpass and Friend List.

OK, Now I'm curious!

 

[Manuel0]

There are people being unbanned as well and they did nothing to unban theirselves. They just found out that their ban had been lifted. Some of them use CFW and use Freeshop.

source?

 

[Aaronius_Leonius]

I'm hoping this information is useful somehow for figuring this out.

I was not banned.

• old3ds 12.4 with boot9strap and luma3ds
• Spotpass enabled
• Show current game to friends online enabled
• Had quite a few games downloaded from the freeshop
• I have swapped the wireless module so Nintendo can probably see that I have a different MAC address
• I have used cheats on animal crossing before
• Have used Pokémon save edits
• Rarely play online

I hope that's some useful information. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this.

 

[nitroBW]

There are people being unbanned as well and they did nothing to unban theirselves. They just found out that their ban had been lifted. Some of them use CFW and use Freeshop.

Also, I asked before if anybody received an Spotpass Notification saying that you can't use StreetPass, Spotpass and Friend List.

Is there any proof? Please link it, thanks ♥

 

[RocketRobz]

Sorry if it's already been asked, but what apps/games have you guys been using/playing, the day before the banwave happened?
I played a game that's not known to many people, and every night, I leave the 3DS on with Mario Clock, an alarm clock DSiWare application.

 

[nitroBW]

Sorry if it's already been asked, but what apps/games have you guys been using/playing, the day before the banwave happened?
I played a game that's not known to many people, and every night, I leave the 3DS on with Mario Clock, an alarm clock DSiWare application.

There have been polls about this, but the game doesn't seem to matter, since many people who haven't used their 3ds for months have been banned too.

 

[nl255]

Worthless if they can read each app's signatures and/or codes, if they know it's not from THEM... you know what happens.
Masking IDs would work I believe, but what if they realize you have duplicated IDs everywhere and/or do not mash some sort of file has or something??
Not an expert in this matter, but I don't think what you suggest would work that well, if even at all.

No, you don't mask IDs you just don't send any that aren't legitimate ones. They see the homemenu extdata, spotpass/friend stuff, and possibly some other things. So patch it so that only title ids that are on a whitelist (which will have to be updated frequently and thus should be a file on the sd card) are sent. If there is no whitelist file or it is too out of date then it would simply disable sending all such data (which would disable access to spotpass and the friends stuff) until it is fixed.

I already answered this question, learn how to read. No one can be sure about anything in this case and we don't act like we can.
But """"playing it safe"""" won't change anything if you already are on the banlist, which most people already are.

And how do you know most people are already on the ban list? It is entirely possible that at least some people got banned when they went online to check without blocking/clearing the data Ninty uses to check (and if they are using homemenu extdata, Cthulhu won't help you).

 

[PiiChuChu]

Sorry if it's already been asked, but what apps/games have you guys been using/playing, the day before the banwave happened?
I played a game that's not known to many people, and every night, I leave the 3DS on with Mario Clock, an alarm clock DSiWare application.

Mhm I was playing Pokemon Sun then tried to reach online and then poof got the error message

 

[MollyChan]

There are people being unbanned as well and they did nothing to unban theirselves. They just found out that their ban had been lifted. Some of them use CFW and use Freeshop.

Also, I asked before if anybody received an Spotpass Notification saying that you can't use StreetPass, Spotpass and Friend List.

IT would be very useful if there was some proof that this happened

I wonder if one could message customer service and ask if removing modifications would lift a ban, though it's incredibly likely that they wouldn't be able to tell you
Since Nintendo seems to want to stop people from modifying their consoles, they could be happy with people who had previously modified their consoles removing all modifications?
Unless it is a kind of "once one has been tainted by evil, they are always evil" thing Nintendo's thinking, which, while very mean, wouldn't be out of the question...

 

[Trintos]

Just wanted to report in

No ban yet

*o3DS 11.4 B9S + Luma
*Never installed a game with freeshop
*Dont play online often
*Spotpass was enabled now disabled

 

[Rune]

I have two 3DSs. New and Old. Both with a9lh, and both on 1.3.
Neither have had their WiFi turned on in ages (mainly to avoid the annoying FW update message).

How do I go about checking to see if they're banned?

 

[jt_1258]

I used nico nico(video app like youtube but it's jp exclusive) online on a na 2ds and I have not gotten a ban as of yet, although right now I'm just hanging offline till it is deemed safe and more well known what is going on

 

[SavageGaming360]

I have two 3DSs. New and Old. Both with a9lh, and both on 1.3.
Neither have had their WiFi turned on in ages (mainly to avoid the annoying FW update message).

How do I go about checking to see if they're banned?

Go to friends list

 

[Xanek]

I have a 2DS and a 3DS, both had A9LH, the 2ds I used cheats and accidentally clicked on the online ranking for Fire Emblem Echoes, got the 002-0102 error right when I did it, woops.

The 3DS I reverted back to an old NAND and removed A9LH and updated and checked friendslist and went online, not banned.

 

[Bullseye]

whoa sorry if I sound butthurt but I'm not o.o
It's just how it is, nintendo has the information and wont stop ban systems they know using cfw.
I have a clean lfcs and I really don't want anyone getting banned, I've never said that either o.o

I just answered your question, don't read so much into it o.o

Don't take it personally, I didn't mean all of this towards you, just replied to you, I am saying it in general. Everyone saying "it is coming, you are next" is based on nothing as we do not know the cause for it, and if you keep using the console the same way as before without getting banned you could not be struck by the ban. We don't know.

Wheres the jealousy m8? Quit talking out of your a$$, If we are telling people not to go online like idiots just because they think they weren't banned and wanna play online just to ensure they get banned, i don't see a speck of jealousy in wanting to keep those people offline so maybe further systems won't be affected. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW

Seems you didn't understand what I wrote and/or don't see how people are speaking about this ban, as I wrote above. But some people think that if they were banned they won't feel so bad about themselves if everyone w/ CFW gets banned as well.

Anyways I am not telling them to go online now, however you don't know if that is the cause for this ban. It is logical to think that if you start playing online now you risk flagging your console if they have a way to do so. But you also don't know what they are using to put you in the ban list. It might be just one thing (accessing internet on a game), or a combination of more (e.g: going on eshop + playing one specific game + ?)

 

[Rune]

Sorry, just double checked. One of them is on 1.2 but I havent turned the other one (the new "good" one) on yet cuz I'm too scared lol.
When I turn on the first 3DS, I just get a 002-0119 error, telling me to update my firmware. So is that one not banned?

 

[MrNarrator]

has anyone that only has legit CIAs installed been banned? That is piracy and Nintendo should know whether or not they purchased those games.

 

[selachii]

Not banned. 11.4. Homebrew. old 3ds. Will update if anything changes.