Amazon Web Services controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

2026
Amazon publishes blog urging support for AI data centers amid community backlash
Company response
On October 2, 2026, Amazon published a blog by AWS CEO Matt Garman addressing public concerns about the impact of AI data centers on jobs, power demands, and the environment. The blog warned that more than 100 data center moratoriums under consideration across the US could cause lasting harm to the US economy and national security. It codified a 'Data Center Commitment' covering job creation, preventing increases to local energy rates, and a pledge to invest more than $1 billion to support communities neighboring its data centers. Amazon also said it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about secret deals with local officials.
On October 2, 2026, Amazon published a more than 3,000-word blog by AWS CEO Matt Garman pushing back on public concerns about the impact of AI data centers on jobs, power demands, and the environment, warning that more than 100 data center moratoriums under consideration across the US could cause lasting harm to the US economy and national security. The memorandum codifies a 'Data Center Commitment' covering job creation, preventing increases to local energy rates, and a pledge to invest more than $1 billion to support communities neighboring its data centers. Amazon also said it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about secret deals with local officials.
Stated objective. Calling for public support of AI data center projects, warning that blocking them risks irreparable harm to the US economy and national security ('our nation can't afford to lose' the race for AI dominance).
Company response
- Clarification — Amazon
  In a more than 3,000 word blog posted today, Amazon web services CEO Matt Garman pushed back on public concerns around the impact that data centers may have on jobs, power demands, and the environment
- Ongoing disclosure — Amazon
  Additionally, Amazon says it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about the secret deals with local officials.
Source excerpt
- Amazon is calling for people to support AI data center projects, or risk irreparable harm to the US economy and national security.
- In a more than 3,000 word blog posted today, Amazon web services CEO Matt Garman pushed back on public concerns around the impact that data centers may have on jobs, power demands, and the environment, saying “our nation can’t afford to lose” the race for AI dominance.
- This comes as support for AI data centers has plummeted in polls , and face increasing backlash from the US communities where they’re being built, with nationwide concerns growing over AI safety and what impact the technology will have on society if left unchecked.
Source
2019
AWS sued over alleged biometric privacy violations
Lawsuit filed
A complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Amazon Web Services violated Illinois biometric privacy requirements by storing biometric information for a commercial customer without providing required notice or obtaining informed consent. The allegations are presented as claims in a lawsuit and are not presented as a court determination. The complaint concerns the storage of biometric information on behalf of a commercial customer under Illinois biometric privacy rules.
A complaint in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Amazon Web Services violated Illinois biometric privacy requirements by storing biometric information for a commercial customer without providing required notice or obtaining informed consent. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Source excerpt
- The complaint alleges AWS violated BIPA’s informed consent rules by not providing information to the plaintiff or other potential members of the class, according to the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court.
- AWS provides cloud storage for companies handling biometric information, and is accused of storing information on behalf of a commercial customer, without providing notification of its practices.
Source

Amazon publishes blog urging support for AI data centers amid community backlash

Company response

On October 2, 2026, Amazon published a blog by AWS CEO Matt Garman addressing public concerns about the impact of AI data centers on jobs, power demands, and the environment. The blog warned that more than 100 data center moratoriums under consideration across the US could cause lasting harm to the US economy and national security. It codified a 'Data Center Commitment' covering job creation, preventing increases to local energy rates, and a pledge to invest more than $1 billion to support communities neighboring its data centers. Amazon also said it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about secret deals with local officials.

On October 2, 2026, Amazon published a more than 3,000-word blog by AWS CEO Matt Garman pushing back on public concerns about the impact of AI data centers on jobs, power demands, and the environment, warning that more than 100 data center moratoriums under consideration across the US could cause lasting harm to the US economy and national security. The memorandum codifies a 'Data Center Commitment' covering job creation, preventing increases to local energy rates, and a pledge to invest more than $1 billion to support communities neighboring its data centers. Amazon also said it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about secret deals with local officials.

Stated objective. Calling for public support of AI data center projects, warning that blocking them risks irreparable harm to the US economy and national security ('our nation can't afford to lose' the race for AI dominance).

Company response

Clarification — Amazon
In a more than 3,000 word blog posted today, Amazon web services CEO Matt Garman pushed back on public concerns around the impact that data centers may have on jobs, power demands, and the environment
Ongoing disclosure — Amazon
Additionally, Amazon says it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about the secret deals with local officials.

Source excerpt

Amazon is calling for people to support AI data center projects, or risk irreparable harm to the US economy and national security.
In a more than 3,000 word blog posted today, Amazon web services CEO Matt Garman pushed back on public concerns around the impact that data centers may have on jobs, power demands, and the environment, saying “our nation can’t afford to lose” the race for AI dominance.
This comes as support for AI data centers has plummeted in polls , and face increasing backlash from the US communities where they’re being built, with nationwide concerns growing over AI safety and what impact the technology will have on society if left unchecked.

AWS sued over alleged biometric privacy violations

Lawsuit filed

A complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Amazon Web Services violated Illinois biometric privacy requirements by storing biometric information for a commercial customer without providing required notice or obtaining informed consent. The allegations are presented as claims in a lawsuit and are not presented as a court determination. The complaint concerns the storage of biometric information on behalf of a commercial customer under Illinois biometric privacy rules.

A complaint in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Amazon Web Services violated Illinois biometric privacy requirements by storing biometric information for a commercial customer without providing required notice or obtaining informed consent. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.

Source excerpt

The complaint alleges AWS violated BIPA’s informed consent rules by not providing information to the plaintiff or other potential members of the class, according to the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court.
AWS provides cloud storage for companies handling biometric information, and is accused of storing information on behalf of a commercial customer, without providing notification of its practices.