Editing Chaos Computer Club (section)

{{Short description|Hacker organization based in Germany}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Chaos Esports Club]], an American [[esports]] organization}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Infobox organization
| name          = Chaos Computer Club
| image         = Chaos Computer Club (logo).svg
| image_border  =
| size          = 225px
| alt           = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] -->
| caption       = Chaos Computer Club Logo (''{{lang|de|Chaosknoten}}'' aka ''{{lang|de|Datenknoten}}'')
| map           = <!-- optional -->
| msize         = <!-- map size, optional, default 250px -->
| malt          = <!-- map alt text -->
| mcaption      = <!-- optional -->
| map2          =
| abbreviation  =
| motto         =
| predecessor   =
| successor     =
| formation     = {{start date and age|1981|09|12|df=yes}}<br />[[West Berlin]], West Germany
| extinction    =
| type          = [[Nongovernmental organization|NGO]]
| status        =
| purpose       = [[Security hacker|Computer security hacking]]
| headquarters  = [[Hamburg]], Germany
| location      = [[DACH]]
| region_served =
| membership    =
| language      = <!-- official languages -->
| general       = <!-- Secretary General -->
| main_organ    = <!-- gral. assembly, board of directors, etc -->
| parent_organization = <!-- if one -->
| affiliations  =
| budget        =
| num_staff     =
| num_volunteers =
| website       = {{URL|ccc.de/en}} (non-HTTPS)
| remarks       =
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| module        = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=50472}}
}}

The '''Chaos Computer Club''' ('''CCC''') is Europe's largest association of [[Hacker (computer security)|hackers]]<ref name="CCC"/> with 7,700 registered members.<ref name="eigendarstellung"/> Founded in 1981, the association is incorporated as an ''[[eingetragener Verein]]'' in Germany, with local chapters (called ''Erfa-Kreise'') in various cities in Germany and the surrounding countries, particularly where there are German-speaking communities.
{{anchor|CCC-CH}}Since 1985, some chapters in Switzerland have organized an independent sister association called the {{ill|Chaos Computer Club Schweiz|de}} (CCC-CH) instead.

The CCC describes itself as "a galactic community of life forms, independent of age, sex, race or societal orientation, which strives across borders for freedom of information…". In general, the CCC advocates more transparency in government, [[freedom of information]], and the [[human rights|human right]] to communication. Supporting the principles of the [[hacker ethic]], the club also fights for free universal access to computers and technological infrastructure as well as the use of [[open-source software]].<ref name="Satzung"/>{{failed verification|date=January 2022}} The CCC spreads an entrepreneurial vision refusing capitalist control.<ref name="Boullier_2016"/> It has been characterised as "…one of the most influential digital organisations anywhere, the centre of German digital culture, [[hacker culture]], hacktivism, and the intersection of any discussion of democratic and digital rights".<ref name="Cadwalladr_2014"/>

Members of the CCC have demonstrated and publicized a number of important information security problems.<ref name="Anderson_2006"/>
The CCC frequently criticizes new legislation and products with weak information security which endanger citizen rights or the privacy of users.
Notable members of the CCC regularly function as expert witnesses for the [[Federal Constitutional Court|German constitutional court]], organize lawsuits and campaigns, or otherwise influence the political process.