Amazon · AWS Acceptable Use Policy · View original document ↗

Email and Messaging Abuse Prohibition

Medium severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

AWS prohibits using its services to send spam, harvest contact information without consent, or send emails that violate anti-spam laws such as CAN-SPAM.

This analysis describes what Amazon's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This clause establishes operational boundaries for email and messaging use on the platform by incorporating statutory anti-spam requirements and restricting harvesting practices, which affects the scope of permitted communications activities.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Customers using AWS services such as Amazon SES or EC2 for email campaigns must comply with CAN-SPAM and equivalent international anti-spam laws, or face service suspension under the AUP in addition to potential regulatory action.

How other platforms handle this

OpenAI Medium

Don't claim to be human when directly and sincerely asked, use AI to deceive people about its fundamental nature, or impersonate real people or organizations in misleading ways.

Runway Medium

You may not use Runway's tools to build or support systems designed for mass surveillance, tracking of individuals without their consent, or the unlawful monitoring of protected groups or activities.

Midjourney Medium

Do not generate images for political campaigns or to try to influence the outcome of an election. Do not generate images to spread misinformation or disinformation.

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You may not use the Services to distribute, publish, send, or facilitate the sending of unsolicited mass email or other messages, promotions, advertising, or solicitations (spam); harvest or otherwise collect email addresses or other personal contact information from the Internet without the recipient's knowledge and consent; or send email messages in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act or any other applicable anti-spam law.

— Excerpt from Amazon's AWS Acceptable Use Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision explicitly references the CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and equivalent international anti-spam laws. Relevant enforcement authorities include the FTC (CAN-SPAM primary US enforcer), the UK Information Commissioner's Office (PECR), and EU national data protection authorities under the ePrivacy Directive. GDPR also applies to the collection and processing of personal contact information in EU contexts. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. Organizations using AWS for bulk email, marketing automation, or contact data collection must maintain documented consent mechanisms and suppression list management to comply with both the AUP and applicable law. Non-compliance creates dual exposure: AUP enforcement by AWS and regulatory action by applicable authorities. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU customers must comply with GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive in addition to the AUP's anti-spam requirements. CASL applies in Canada. Australian customers are subject to the Spam Act 2003. The AUP's reference to 'any other applicable anti-spam law' means the effective compliance scope is jurisdiction-dependent. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Organizations using AWS SES or other AWS messaging services for client campaigns should ensure client agreements include representations about list consent and legal compliance, as AUP liability runs to the AWS account holder. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should audit email list acquisition methods for documented consent, implement unsubscribe and suppression list management, and review sending practices against CAN-SPAM and applicable international requirements. AWS account holders should ensure downstream email service users (e.g., clients, sub-accounts) are contractually bound to equivalent standards.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC is the primary US enforcement authority for the CAN-SPAM Act, which is explicitly referenced in this provision
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
AWS Acceptable Use Policy
Entity
Amazon
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 27, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002111
Document ID
CA-D-00028
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
35a0e34b7136e83dd0dca01e14dd192b01d7012211f2617232fe3d1a27218091
Analysis generated
April 27, 2026 10:50 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Amazon
Document: AWS Acceptable Use Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002111
Captured: 2026-04-27 10:50:37 UTC
SHA-256: 35a0e34b7136e83d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/amazon/aws-acceptable-use-policy/email-and-messaging-abuse-prohibition/
Accessed: May 20, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Amazon's Email and Messaging Abuse Prohibition clause do?

This clause establishes operational boundaries for email and messaging use on the platform by incorporating statutory anti-spam requirements and restricting harvesting practices, which affects the scope of permitted communications activities.

How does this clause affect you?

Customers using AWS services such as Amazon SES or EC2 for email campaigns must comply with CAN-SPAM and equivalent international anti-spam laws, or face service suspension under the AUP in addition to potential regulatory action.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Amazon?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon.