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 !

 

[SomeKindOfUsername]

I doubt we'll ever find out the who what where when why and how regarding this banwave.
About the only takeaway is that a lot of people had a little too much confidence that what they did was completely undetectable. It's a good reminder that you should always, always anticipate this sort of thing and not to get upset when it does happen.

 

[stl25]

I doubt we'll ever find out the who what where when why and how regarding this banwave.
About the only takeaway is that a lot of people had a little too much confidence that what they did was completely undetectable. It's a good reminder that you should always, always anticipate this sort of thing and not to get upset when it does happen.

Now that is a straight to the point post. I attempted a post like this and ended up writing a novel.

Here was my feeble attempt: http://gbatemp.net/threads/regarding-the-recent-3ds-banwave.471781/page-158#post-7340186

 

[CyberTails]

No there isnt, they prob received same ban. Nintendo is not blocking your play locally, they aren't blocking u from getting game updates. They are blocking you from online services that are paid for by them and other developers.....I mean, they could just see u are running illegal cias and send you a lawsuit letter lol. That's the risk you take pirating your games and then expecting to play online

Would that include Custom VCs and Homebrew CIAs by any chance?

 

[wownmnpare]

I'm not yet affected. Phew!

 

[Gameboyandwatch]

Woahhhh. Aren't I lucky my friend didn't want to play a game of Smash with me tonight. Well, since B9S is getting people banned, is there a way to revert back to A9LH, seeing as how B9S can get you banned?

 

[CyberTails]

I'm not yet affected. Phew!

Same, but I turned off my Wireless after i did a Bank Transfer to be on the safe side

 

[Osakasan]

Just dropping by to say that the method of editing the serial number on SecureInfo_A didn't work for me. That, or i'm unlucky enough for the random serial i wrote to be banned already.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Therein lies the advantage (you didn't spend 5 hours breeding) hence you breed more and have and even more distinct advantage. Really?

There's no in battle advantage though. A legal Pokémon is the same as a legit Pokémon with the same stats.

 

[The Evil Queen]

O3DS XL
a9lh + Luma v6.6
Spotpass was on
No freeshop installed.
One cia game (pokemon moon)

I am able to connect to the internet on Pokemon Moon successfully.
Is it a pattern that people with later versions of Luma are being hit?

 

[RustInPeace]

I'm not yet affected. Phew!

Hmmmm, I'm trying not to be mad about this. I don't believe this is the thread to almost brag that you haven't been banned.

*snip*

 

[NoNAND]

I installed boot9strap on my 3ds but i never connect online. Should i keep wifi always off?

 

[LunarD3ATH]

Nintendo is getting info from hacked 3DS units somehow and we are seeing the result of our actions. We need to own it, embrace it whether we like it or not.

Dude, you're getting sermon-like. No one is denying they've been banned or that what they did was against ToS. That doesn't mean they have to agree or accept it, though. Save the preaching, it's getting old fast.

 

[A Plus Ric]

Who cares about the cheat aspect anyways, but if u do it, don't wonder why u were banned and how to get around it....you deserved it. Either way. If it was the activity log it would be coming more than waves, it would be happening to every single user the instant they log online with those logs. So too inconsistent for that.

 

[LunarD3ATH]

It is coming off as preaching and my apologies for that, however we do kinda have to physically accept the TOS to play online. That is why I agree it is time for a mod to lock these threads as is only serves as a mockery to the fact that the bans are real and justified by the TOS.

Everyone who ever hacked their system knew the ToS and that they were breaking it.

That doesn't mean they have to care. It's Nintendo's problem (one they're clearly trying to be on top of at the moment) to fix. If people want to circumvent bans, they will. Locking the thread for your own selfish reasons doesn't serve any purpose. If you don't like it, just leave. There is no simpler solution.

 

[stl25]

Everyone who ever hacked their system knew the ToS and that they were breaking it.

That doesn't mean they have to care. It's Nintendo's problem (one they're clearly trying to be on top of at the moment) to fix. If people want to circumvent bans, they will. Locking the thread for your own selfish reasons doesn't serve any purpose. If you don't like it, just leave. There is no simpler solution.

And thus the problem is self sustaining. You are right locking the thread will not serve a real purpose. People will continue to circumvent the security of the system and online bans. If the thread didn't become a cesspool of pissed off TOS violators that feel justified to complain of the ban in the first place I would have no basis for my righteous sounding posts.

 

[Vanix]

Not banned yet but I wouldn't be surprised if it hits me.

Random info that might or might not help anyone:
Luma and a9lh and it was hacked via DSiWare exploit when 11.2 had no solo softmod hack via another hacked 3DS, on 11.4 for a while, never used save editors, never cheated online or offline, never really played Pokemon minus the few hours I tried OR and Sun (post release) also never did anything online in those, used a ton of Freeshop with mostly in-region games from what I remember, played a few games I got off Freeshop online (MHGen, ACNL) especially MHGen since I played that for about 20 hours about 2 weeks ago but not this last week, not completely sure about Spotpass but I'm pretty sure it was on all this time since I didn't really care much to be extra-safe, I had "Open-source eShop clone" on my Friend thing for a few days months ago, I didn't send or receive doodlebomb.

Idk what other info would be useful, but either way I do expect a ban sooner or later since it seems it's just targeting cfw. I updated to B9S and to the new Luma just now too, will post again with a reply to this if I do get a ban.

Boyfriend's 3DS was banned but idk what crazy shit he did with it

 

[LunarD3ATH]

And thus the problem is self sustaining. You are right locking the thread will not serve a real purpose. People will continue to circumvent the security of the system and online bans. If the thread didn't become a cesspool of pissed off TOS violators that feel justified to complain of the ban in the first place I would have no basis for my righteous sounding posts.

You're not arguing you have a good reason for it now, are you? You can't apologize for sounding self-righteous and preachy, then continue to be self-righteous and preachy.

Quite frankly, there's not going to be any purpose to this thread at a certain point, anyway. It would make more sense to lock it just for the sake of locking it, since considering how many useless pages of unhelpful comments there are, it doesn't really serve a purpose.

Let's just ease back on the judgment, eh? I mean specifically everyone, not just you. Seems to be a growing trend here to tell other people what to do with their systems.

 

[ManuelKoegler]

So, seeing this thread has kinda derailed, has the cause of the banwave been pinned down yet?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[telly23]

So, seeing this thread has kinda derailed, has the cause of the banwave been pinned down yet?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No

On another news, this is still way too early to be sure and may be just a troll, but people on the aurora thread are reporting people reporting getting unbanned after removing all cfw related cia and tickets

 

[thatmanfromspace]

Am i safe?
-I have installed the homebrew channel with Sky3ds+ cart
-I use Sky3ds+ and a private header
-I don't use any CFW
-A few times while patching my 3DS Games, i misused the Manufacturer and ended up getting 002-0123