Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman announced it no longer uses NDAs with government agencies, citing community concerns over data center transparency. The decision comes amid growing backlash against data center projects, with environmental activist Erin Brockovich highlighting transparency as the top complaint.
Garman noted that more than 100 data center moratoriums are being considered across the United States, including a one-year pause in New York. He warned that such measures could harm the U.S. competitiveness in the global data center race.
Garman challenged four common myths about data centers, including their water usage, electricity costs, pollution, and community benefits. He cited an Amazon report stating that direct data center water consumption accounts for 0.5% of all industrial water use in the U.S., far less than industries like almond farming.
"We no longer use nondisclosure agreements with the government agencies we work with on our projects," said Garman. He also mentioned that Amazon has contributed over $1 billion to communities with significant data center presence over the past three years.
The announcement follows a broader backlash against data centers, with critics accusing tech companies of lacking transparency. Garman argued that data center generators are idle 99.9% of the time, running only about 10 hours per year.
Garman did not address whether the company would disclose more details about its data center operations, and he acknowledged the need for independent studies on water and energy usage. He said the company will continue to engage with communities to build trust.
Source: techcrunch
