GoKawiilAmazon says it has dropped NDAs in data center permit negotiations
AWS CEO Matt Garman wrote in a blog post that Amazon no longer uses nondisclosure agreements when working with government agencies to secure approval for new data centers. The statement comes amid a broader backlash over secrecy in data center development, including activist Erin Brockovich's complaints about officials signing NDAs before communities are informed. Garman also disputed claims that data centers consume excessive water, raise electricity costs, pollute heavily, or fail to benefit local communities.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The NDA disclosure appears aimed at countering a wave of public distrust that has already produced a one-year moratorium on large data center permits in New York and, per Garman, over 100 similar moratoriums under consideration nationwide. Garman's framing of restrictions as a risk to U.S. competitiveness suggests Amazon is positioning transparency concessions as a way to keep data center expansion politically viable. His water-usage comparisons echo similar claims from Nvidia, though both industry statements may understate broader environmental impacts not captured by direct consumption figures alone.
- Amazon says it has stopped requiring NDAs from government agencies in data center permitting talks.
- The move follows criticism over secrecy, including from environmental activist Erin Brockovich.
- Garman claims over 100 U.S. data center moratoriums are being considered, which he says could hurt American competitiveness.
Source: techcrunch.com — Anthony Ha, 2026-10-03
Published there as: “Amazon responds to data center backlash, says it no longer uses NDAs”
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