Amazon · AWS Acceptable Use Policy · View original document ↗

Prohibition on Abuse of AWS Infrastructure for Attacks

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

You cannot use AWS to launch or assist denial-of-service attacks, generate mass unsolicited messages, or disrupt other internet systems in any way.

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 use restrictions that AWS enforces through its operational control of the platform. The provision creates a contractual obligation that forms the basis for AWS to monitor, restrict, or terminate service access when the specified conduct is detected.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Apr 9, 2026
First Seen
Apr 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 912 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Businesses running publicly accessible services on AWS must implement adequate security controls to prevent their infrastructure from being compromised and used for attacks, because a security breach that results in their AWS resources being weaponized could trigger AUP violations and account suspension even though they were the victim.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
No Abuse. You may not use the Services to engage in, foster, or promote illegal, abusive, or irresponsible behavior, including: carrying out or enabling denial of service attacks; generating, distributing, publishing or facilitating unsolicited mass email or other messages; or otherwise causing disruption to the operation of the Services or other systems.

— Excerpt from Amazon's AWS Acceptable Use Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: DDoS attacks constitute violations of CFAA (18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5), DOJ enforcement), UK Computer Misuse Act 1990 s.3, and EU Directive 2013/40/EU Art. 5. Enabling or facilitating such attacks through inadequate security may also implicate FTC Act Section 5 (unfair security practices) per FTC's LabMD and Wyndham precedents establishing that inadequate security constitutes an unfair practice. NIS2 Directive Art. 21 requires operators of essential services to implement security measures proportionate to risks, including DDoS protection. (2)

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    FTC has enforcement authority over inadequate security practices under FTC Act Section 5, which may be implicated where AWS customer security failures enable third-party abuse of AWS infrastructure.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
AWS Acceptable Use Policy
Entity
Amazon
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002552
Document ID
CA-D-00028
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
c61af89c19589f506fd3fc8bbb8010407f0052d2e845554c876b99cc2495d2ce
Analysis generated
March 6, 2026 20:03 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Amazon
Document: AWS Acceptable Use Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002552
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:03:12 UTC
SHA-256: c61af89c19589f50…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/amazon/aws-acceptable-use-policy/prohibition-on-abuse-of-aws-infrastructure-for-attacks/
Accessed: June 18, 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 Prohibition on Abuse of AWS Infrastructure for Attacks clause do?

This clause establishes use restrictions that AWS enforces through its operational control of the platform. The provision creates a contractual obligation that forms the basis for AWS to monitor, restrict, or terminate service access when the specified conduct is detected.

How does this clause affect you?

Businesses running publicly accessible services on AWS must implement adequate security controls to prevent their infrastructure from being compromised and used for attacks, because a security breach that results in their AWS resources being weaponized could trigger AUP violations and account suspension even though they were the victim.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Amazon?

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