OpenAI will not use NDAs with officials on data centres

single source· 1 articles · confidence: low · first seen 2026-11-06 00:37 UTC

What this means for you

Nothing to act on if you only call OpenAI's API. If you build, permit or negotiate over data centres, the question is scope: the pledge names public officials only, not contractors or suppliers, and it is not yet clear whether deals already signed are covered.

OpenAI says it will stop using non-disclosure agreements (contractual gagging clauses) with public officials on its data centre projects, as one of a set of commitments to host communities announced days after this week's US midterms. The Verge reports that voters in those elections opposed data centre expansion, and that such projects have faced scrutiny for using NDAs to keep talks with local officials out of public view. The source does not list the other commitments, say whether projects already under way are covered, or describe how the policy will be enforced.

Key facts

  • ·OpenAI said it will not use non-disclosure agreements with public officials on its data centre projects. source
  • ·The commitments were announced days after the US midterms, in which The Verge reports voters opposed data centre expansion. source
  • ·Data centre projects have drawn scrutiny for relying on NDAs to conceal discussions with officials, according to The Verge. source
  • ·The Verge's report was published on 6 November 2026. source

What the sources say

  • The Verge AI — Places the pledge against local scrutiny of data centre deals and the midterm results.

Sources

The original reporting. Follow these — they did the work.

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