Key facts
- At least 75 data center projects were delayed or halted in Q1 2026.
- The total value of delayed or halted data center projects is $130 billion.
- The number of opposition groups has doubled.
- A playbook for resistance has emerged.
- Tech companies are reconsidering the use of NDAs for data center projects.
- Microsoft has ended its use of NDAs for data center projects.
- Google, Amazon, and Meta continue to use NDAs for data center projects.
- NDAs are used to protect proprietary information and land prices.
The construction of data centers is encountering substantial resistance, with at least 75 projects valued at $130 billion being delayed or halted in the first quarter of 2026 due to community protests. This trend is characterized as a structural shift rather than a cyclical fluctuation, evidenced by a doubling in the number of opposition groups and the development of a coordinated strategy for resistance. The increasing public opposition is prompting major technology companies to re-evaluate their reliance on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when negotiating with local governments for data center development. Microsoft has announced it will no longer use NDAs for its data center projects, emphasizing a commitment to transparency. In contrast, other major tech firms, including Google, Amazon, and Meta, continue to utilize NDAs. These companies argue that NDAs are essential for safeguarding proprietary business information and preventing undue fluctuations in land prices during the acquisition process.