Amazon responds to data center backlash, says it no longer uses NDAs

AWS CEO Matt Garman says Amazon no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies when seeking approvals for new data centers. He argued that public distrust is fueling more than 100 proposed US moratoriums and pushed back on claims about water use, electricity costs, pollution, and limited community benefits.

Amazon’s shift away from NDAs shows that transparency has become a major battleground in data center expansion, not just a local permitting issue. As AI demand drives infrastructure growth, companies may need stronger community engagement and verifiable environmental data to avoid delays that could slow US cloud and AI capacity.