Brief
AWS chief says Amazon has ended NDAs with government agencies amid data‑center backlash
The announcement comes as states consider over 100 moratoriums on new data‑center permits.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Amazon Web Services chief executive Matt Garman told TechCrunch on Oct. 3 that Amazon has stopped using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in its dealings with government agencies while it seeks approval for new data‑center projects.
What happened
In a brief blog post, Garman said the policy change is part of a broader effort to address community concerns about data‑center development. He noted that more than 100 U.S. states and localities are currently weighing moratoriums on large data‑center permits.
What the report adds
TechCrunch highlighted activist Erin Brockovich’s claim that the chief complaint about data centers is a lack of transparency, citing patterns such as projects announced after permits are secured and officials signing NDAs before neighbors are informed. The outlet also reported that New York announced a one‑year moratorium on large data‑center permits, and that Garman warned the United States could “write its own losing ticket” if such measures proliferate.
What was said
Garman said, “If these measures are enacted, the U.S. could be writing its own losing ticket to this race, and the consequences would last generations.” He also disputed four common myths about data centers, stating that “direct data center water consumption” accounts for only 0.5% of industrial water use in the United States, far less than golf courses or almond farming. Garman referenced an Amazon internal report for the figure.
How it came about
The backlash against data‑center projects has grown alongside reports of environmental impacts and community opposition, topics previously covered by Felo News in stories about state moratoriums and the environmental footprint of AI‑driven facilities.
Key facts
- Amazon Web Services has stopped using NDAs with government agencies (techcrunch.com)
- More than 100 U.S. jurisdictions are considering moratoriums on large data‑center permits (techcrunch.com)
- Direct data‑center water consumption is 0.5% of industrial water use in the United States (techcrunch.com)
- Erin Brockovich identified transparency as the top complaint about data‑center projects (techcrunch.com)
- New York announced a one‑year moratorium on permits for large data centers (techcrunch.com)
Sources
- [1] techcrunch.com — originally reported as “Amazon responds to data center backlash, says it no longer uses NDAs”
