Erin Brockovich says people are angry because data centers are being ‘shoved down their throats’ in secrecy Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is now opposing the expansion of AI data centers, citing community anger over secrecy and lack of involvement in decision-making processes. Residents feel projects are “shoved down their throat” with limited information due to nondisclosure agreements, leading to backlash and calls for transparency. Companies like Microsoft are beginning to adopt more open approaches in response to such opposition.

• Erin Brockovich is actively opposing the proliferation of AI data centers.
• Communities are concerned about potential drains on water supplies, increased electricity costs, and reduced quality of life due to data center development.
• Residents feel excluded from decision-making processes, with projects often presented with secrecy and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).
• High-profile projects, such as one in Utah, have faced significant opposition.
• Microsoft has announced it will stop using NDAs in early stages of data center development to improve transparency and community dialogue.
• Microsoft has also introduced a ‘Community-First AI Infrastructure Plan’ to address community concerns.
• Brockovich emphasizes that communities are not opposed to difficult information but to being excluded from the process. Continue reading https://www.businessinsider.com/erin-brockovich-data-centers-backlash-nda-secrecy-2026-5