Amazon said it will cease using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) when negotiating data‑center deals with local governments. This move follows a similar change announced earlier this year by Microsoft.
Why this matters
Secrecy around AI infrastructure projects has provoked community pushback in many places. Reporting states that opposition has resulted in “hundreds” of proposed or enacted moratoriums on such projects, ranging from New York to San Francisco. By dropping NDAs, companies appear to be attempting to reduce distrust and increase transparency with local communities where data centers are planned.
Related industry trends
At the same time, a wave of startups is betting that consumers will grant AI agents deep access to personal data — including email inboxes, files, and credit‑card information — if websites and services allow those agents in. In that context, trust between companies and users is becoming a central competitive factor for personal AI products.
Discussion on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast
The topic was discussed on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, where hosts Anthony Ha, Sean O’Kane, and Rebecca Bellan explored whether abandoning NDAs will materially change how data‑center deals are made and why trust may be the core offering for startups building personal AI. The episode also covered a few notable deals of the week.
Where to follow the episode
TechCrunch’s Equity is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and Spotify. The podcast and its updates can also be followed on X and Threads at @EquityPod.
