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Amazon drops data center NDAs; Petra Power eyes fuel cells

Amazon and other tech companies face hundreds of local moratoriums and bans due to secretive data center agreements with governments; transparency arrives somewhat late.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Tonight
Published 6:39 PM ET, Saturday, October 10, 2026

▶ Watch it as it aired

Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN Tonight at 6:39 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are TechCrunch's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by TechCrunch: “Amazon and others are done keeping data center deals secret. Is it enough to build trust?”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 6:39 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

TechCrunchAmazon and others are done keeping data center deals secret. Is it enough to build trust?

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAmazon says it will stop using NDAs when it negotiates data center deals with local governments. Microsoft already did.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWithout transparency, these companies faced hundreds of moratoriums and bans across cities like New York and San Francisco.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTransparency era. Town halls are about to get so spicy.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTowns had to riot before the company would let them read the deal. That is not a glow-up.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA late glow-up.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentIn a few minutes, where did the flamingos wait out a hurricane?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSomewhere with better disclosure than a data center deal.