In a rare moment of unity, Americans are fighting Big Tech together
Americans are increasingly uniting against rapidly advancing technologies like data centers and surveillance cameras. Local communities are actively opposing data center development due to concerns over resources, noise, and property values, leading to a moratorium being proposed in Memphis. This backlash is bipartisan and is prompting responses from politicians and new regulations.
Americans are increasingly unified in their opposition to rapidly advancing technologies, including data centers and AI-powered surveillance cameras, creating a unique bipartisan coalition across the nation. This sentiment has led to significant local pushback, with communities citing concerns over strain on water and electricity resources, noise, pollution, and property values.
Specific instances of opposition include the Memphis City Council's approval of a data center moratorium for its first reading on August 18, 2026, and residents in Manchester, New Jersey, protesting data center proposals. In Licking County, Ohio, organizers are collecting signatures to ban hyperscale data centers. This widespread opposition has led to the blocking or delaying of at least 75 data center projects worth an estimated $130 billion in the first three months of 2026 alone.
Politicians from both parties, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have either acknowledged or responded to the public's anger, with some governors announcing new restrictions on computing hubs. Technology executives, such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have defended their products, arguing for the necessity of compute power for future innovation despite public concerns over job loss and the quality of AI-generated content. The article also highlights a parallel backlash against AI-powered surveillance cameras, exemplified by protests against Flock Safety and calls for regulation from national figures.