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 !

 

[Kioku]

LOL, I still don't see why people think they actually do it this way.

66+ Million units sold, likely hundreds of millions, if not billions, of logs from the telemetry uploaded to their servers, and people think they have a small team of people going through all the logs and manually banning 3DSes.

Even though I've already proved why this method is infeasible.

It's cute.

Sounds like it'd be more automated. They'd just have to check the logs for illegitimate title IDs... Not really that difficult, and doesn't require a team of 50k people.

 

[Joshua Wright]

Ok so i'm going to say this again, DO NOT MESS WITH SECUREID_A UNLESS YOUR NNID IS BANNED!
Please tell me you remember the hex before you changed it
If not try to get nintendo to unlink your nnid

 

[PedroKeitawa]

Ok so i'm going to say this againO NOT MESS WITH SECUREID_A UNLESS YOUR NNID IS BANNED!
Please tell me you remember the hex before you changed it

Nope...i know im bad. One thing now that the account was banned from online play, before i "fixed", i can use in the future with the Switch? And most importantly i can still use the e-shop normaly o i need to make another account?

 

[Joshua Wright]

Nope...i know im bad. One thing now that the account was banned from online play, before i "fixed", i can use in the future with the Switch? And most importantly i can still use the e-shop normaly o i need to make another account?

Try to find out if nintendo will unlink the nnid (say your 3ds broke) If you can great but if your nnid isn't banned you can use it on the switch

 

[PedroKeitawa]

Try to find out if nintendo will unlink the nnid (say your 3ds broke) If you can great but if your nnid isn't banned you can use it on the switch

Is ban from the online on 3DS. I have to unban my self for play online. So when next month im going to buy a Switch i need to make a new one?

 

[Joshua Wright]

This banwave was a low level ban, it blocked your 3ds from connecting online in games and your friends list,but it did not keep your from going on eshop or miiverse so that meant the nnid was untouched, changing the localfriendcodeseed_b was sufficient.

 

[PedroKeitawa]

This banwave was a low level ban, it blocked your 3ds from connecting online in games and your friends list,but it did not keep your from going on eshop or miiverse so that meant the nnid was untouched, changing the localfriendcodeseed_b was sufficient.

Thanks. It was not a problem if i have to change my NNID, since untille the custom badges i was using just for the BadgeArcade and nothing else (in short i will not lost anything).

 

[Joshua Wright]

Thanks. It was not a problem if i have to change my NNID, since untille the custom badges i was using just for the BadgeArcade and nothing else (in short i will not lost anything).

Good to hear it wasn't bad,happy trails and make sure you follow safety precautions when using mods

 

[Jimmay123]

For that you need to mess with the SecureInfo_A. Get a hex editor,then use godmode9, goto SYSNAND CTRNAND>rw>sys>SecureInfo_A ,Export it open the file in the hex editor and change the change a hex pair near the end and plug it back in. (Don't forget to copy)

The reason is by doing this it changes your serial number.

Unfortunately only nintendo can unban your nnid this allows you to remove your previous nnid of your system(tho your old nnid is worthless now)

thanks for letting me know
I'm cool linking a new nnid anyways not worth the hassle getting my old one back didn't have anything on it anyway
just some pokemon in pokemon bank but i can get more via trade and use hb poke bank anyways


speaking of pokemon bank any ideas when the homebrew version will support rby to sm

 

[Joshua Wright]

thanks for letting me know
I'm cool linking a new nnid anyways not worth the hassle getting my old one back didn't have anything on it anyway
just some pokemon in pokemon bank but i can get more via trade and use hb poke bank anyways


speaking of pokemon bank any ideas when the homebrew version will support rby to sm

Don't know anyone's guess now probably won't be too long tho.

 

[TimX24968B]

LOL, I still don't see why people think they actually do it this way.

66+ Million units sold, likely hundreds of millions, if not billions, of logs from the telemetry uploaded to their servers, and people think they have a small team of people going through all the logs and manually banning 3DSes.

Even though I've already proved why this method is infeasible.

It's cute.

they might have an algorithm but then if we found the cause of the ban, the algorithm would be exploitable and we could eventually force ban random 3DSes to the point where they are obliged to unban everyone

 

[Casis]

Banwave's over since two weeks ago, no any further reports of recent bans.

Are you SURE? Positive that it's safe to go on Homebrew launcher now ?

 

[Joshua Wright]

they might have an algorithm but then if we found the cause of the ban, the algorithm would be exploitable and we could eventually force ban random 3DSes to the point where they are obliged to unban everyone

If it was exploitable most people wouldn't screw other peoples 3dses

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

Are you SURE? Positive that it's safe to go on Homebrew launcher now ?

If you used an exploit like soundhax and only stayed to low level homebrew you were fine, Thing only got dicey when you used CIA's,VC injects etc.
Look at the OP post to get an idea.

 

[Casis]

If you used an exploit like soundhax and only stayed to low level homebrew you were fine, Thing only got dicey when you used CIA's,VC injects etc.
Look at the OP post to get an idea.

Really??? This whole time?? So if I used JKSV save manager on there too I would've been okay?

 

[TinchoX]

Really??? This whole time?? So if I used JKSV save manager on there too I would've been okay?

Whatever you used that was homebrew / non-legit for Nintendo is enough of a reason to get you banned, sooner or later.

 

[zKin]

Sooo... I'm gonna try to stop that schrodinger phase, "banned or not banned", an connect to Wi-Fi, check my friendlist to see my status.
I disabled Spotpass in System Settings and in Mii Plaza, I probably have some (bought, legit) games with spotpass on but i can't check them all.
CIAs like FBI, Homebrew Loader, JKSM, the updater for Luma are still here.

So If i'm not banned, am I 100% fine to keep those CIA on my console but not being online when I launch them ? I hope I wont have to remove everything, it would be the end of a good era
I see in the first post : 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.
That's what it means, I guess.

All advices are in the first post ? Nothing missing that could be useful ? I already read that post last week and seems like nothing new.

Thank you !

 

[Joshua Wright]

Casis:


And like I said if you stuck with just homebrew and didn't use any kernel exploits you should be fine

 

[nitroBW]

Sooo... I'm gonna try to stop that schrodinger phase, "banned or not banned", an connect to Wi-Fi, check my friendlist to see my status.
I disabled Spotpass in System Settings and in Mii Plaza, I probably have some (bought, legit) games with spotpass on but i can't check them all.
CIAs like FBI, Homebrew Loader, JKSM, the updater for Luma are still here.

So If i'm not banned, am I 100% fine to keep those CIA on my console but not being online when I launch them ? I hope I wont have to remove everything, it would be the end of a good era
I see in the first post : 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.
That's what it means, I guess.

All advices are in the first post ? Nothing missing that could be useful ? I already read that post last week and seems like nothing new.

Thank you !

Going online with a modified console is never 100% fine, but since the wave is over, the chance of getting the same ban is rather low.

 

[Windylacine]

Really??? This whole time?? So if I used JKSV save manager on there too I would've been okay?

You would be fine since there is nothing such as ?????? unknown title in activity log when using any entry points to homebrew without Homebrew launcher.CIA

 

[Rexy1021]

How can you tell if you have been banned? I have never hacked or CFW on my N3DS but I get an error everytime I go online. I think I've been hit but don't know why. Someone please help.