CLODO Communique following attack on Philips Data Systems (1980)

Translator note

CLODO (Committee for liquidation or subversion of computers) was a collective of machine-arsonists responsible for around a dozen attacks on computer sites between 1980 and 1983 in Toulouse and Paris. Their targets were multinational computer firms and governmental data processing sites. The present text was sent to the newspaper French Libération 5 days after CLODO had set the files and computers of Philips Data Systems and CII-Honeywell-Bull on fire.

AUTHENTIFICATION

Ask Albert Louys, the director of Philips Data Systems in Toulouse, to explain himself:

• the presence of a cartridge belt (and a Rolls Royce catalogue!) in the left-hand drawers.

• the nature of the folder “affaire Rodeau” (or “affaire Rodeau-Borel”) with its orange cover.

WHY THIS COMMUNIQUÉ?

We don’t see the point of press releases when actions speak for themselves. Unfortunately, some have have carelessly claimed an attack of which they are not the authors.

We support the organisation Action Directe, like we do all those who practice direct action against authority, but the communiqué previously sent to AFP is fake. We did not take any files, so there will not be any publications or ‘revelations’.

WHY THIS SABOTAGE?

As you will have suspected, we are IT workers, and are therefore well placed to understand the current and future dangers of IT and telematics. The computer is the preferred tool of the dominant. It is used to exploit, to file, to control, to repress. Tomorrow, telematics will establish ‘1984’; the day after: the programmed man, the man-machine…

This is what we are attacking, and will continue to attack. Our sabotage is only a more spectacular version of those attacks performed daily by us or by others.

WHO ARE WE?

We’re asking this question not to make it easier for the cops, but to clarify the obvious:

• We are neither the armed wing of the proletariat, nor pure and strong militants, even less the centre of an organization with a desire for hegemonic power.

• We are neither Cubans, nor Libyans, nor Martians.

• ​​Almost above suspicion, we attend neither general assemblies nor any meetings. We are not looking to recruit. We know we are not alone.

• ​​In an increasingly unliveable society, we are a group of rebels like there are hundreds of them.

• We don’t want to be locked in the ghetto of programs and organizational platforms. Fighting against all dominations is our only goal.

We sign: Comité Liquidant Ou Détournant Les Ordinateurs. (C.L.O.D.O.)