Tech companies and local officials are covering data center talks in NDAs
Local officials and data center developers are increasingly using nondisclosure agreements to shield negotiations from public scrutiny. Residents and experts argue this practice limits transparency and prevents communities from understanding the environmental and economic impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
The trend reflects a growing tension between rapid industrial expansion and the public's right to participate in local governance.
By fields of cotton and soybeans where his bees forage and pollinate, Foster Hensel pries open the lid of one of his beehives, setting off a rising hum from inside.
The article focuses on the concerns of residents and critics of corporate secrecy, highlighting a potential democratic deficit.
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