CLODO

CLODO began in 1979 in protest to the increasing computerized surveillance by national governments and fears of increased oppression as computerization advanced.[1] Those who would eventually form CLODO first united to protest the construction of the GOLFECH nuclear power plant in 1979, during the height of the anti-nuclear movement. Despite efforts to terminate construction on the nuclear power plant, the project continued unabated, prompting CLODO to solidify as an organization and diversify their targets.[2] The first major attack perpetuated by CLODO occurred in 1980, when CLODO carried out arson against the Philips Data System amongst other attacks.[3] CLODO would claim responsibility for multiple sabotages, with others later linked to the organization, and would often employ humorous names and puns when claiming actions.[2] The acronym 'clodo' is a slang term for 'bum' or 'homeless' in French.[2]

In October of 1983, CLODO set fire to the offices of U.S. computer manufacturer SPERRY in protest of Reagan's invasion of Grenada.[2] In total, 7 rooms of the building were damaged and "Reagan attacks Grenada, Sperry a multinational accomplice" was found written inside a vandalized office. The attack was performed in the early morning and no injuries were associated with the event.[4]

In October 1983 following an attack against Sperry-Univac, CLODO sent a manifesto disguised as an interview to the French magazine Processed World. In the manifesto, CLODO rejected the use of computers for the purposes of "surveillance by means of badges and cards, instrument of profit maximization for the bosses and of accelerated pauperization".[2] CLODO additionally stated that, although their future projects were intended to be less spectacular than the firebombing of Sperry-Univac, they planned to carry out actions geared towards an impending telecommunications explosion.[5]

CLODO placed emphasis on targeting computer technology and neo-Luddite ideals, but claimed to function as an ad hoc group with no formal organization or leadership.[7][2] CLODO considered themselves “the visible tip of the iceberg”, citing increasing public distrust in computer software and increased worried about the potential implications technology had on limiting people's freedoms. This, more specifically, centered around the fears of government oppression and increased surveillance as computers became more ubiquitous.[1] CLODO's neo-luddite beliefs have been compared to the 1980 writings of Douglas Hofstadter, in which he echoed similar concerns about the “subcognition” of rapidly advancing` technology.[8][9] In 1980, after a series of attacks in the Toulouse area, CLODO released a statement to the French media in which they explained their motives. It read,[10]

"We are workers in the field of dp (data processing) and consequently well place to know the current and future dangers of dp and telecommunications. The computer is the favorite tool of the dominant. It is used to exploit, to put on file, to control, and to repress."

At the time of the Toulouse attacks in 1980, French police were convinced that CLODO was simply an outgrowth of Action Directe, a libertarian communist group. This was later corrected following analysis by National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, who concluded "Although no proof has ever been established that CLODO was affiliated with Action Directe, it seems likely that they had some linkages, but that CLODO was focused more on an anarchist worldview, as opposed to a Marxist-Leninist philosophy."[11] The attacks happened in a wider context of similar attacks throughout Toulouse at the same time.[12]

While CLODO's actions never achieved major political victory, their actions raised awareness that European computers were vulnerable to attack. CLODO's attacks, along with other contemporary anarchist groups, prompted the Swedish Defense Ministry to recommend new guidelines around monitoring computer security.[1]

Since 1984, CLODO has no longer been classified as 'active' by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.[11] None of the members of CLODO have been identified.[13]

A 2022 experimental documentary named 'Machines in Flames' helped spark renewed interest in the group.[14]

• Neo-Luddism
• Anarcho-primitivism
• Theodore Kaczynski

• Holz, Maxine (February 1984). "CLODO Speaks: Interview with French saboteurs". Processed World. No. 10. San Francisco, California, USA. Retrieved 25 March 2021. - interview for the Processed World magazine
• Terrorist organization profile - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism
• The Anarchist Library - Author: C.L.O.D.O