You cannot use AWS to store, send, or distribute illegal content, including content that violates copyright, is obscene or abusive, or involves child sexual abuse material.
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
This clause defines the scope of prohibited uses for AWS Services and establishes the operational boundary for acceptable content hosted on the platform. It requires AWS to maintain controls against specific categories of content that expose the service provider to legal liability or regulatory violation.
This clause prohibits a wide range of harmful and illegal content categories on AWS infrastructure, and because customers are responsible for end-user conduct, businesses hosting user-generated content face significant legal exposure if their platforms are used to store or distribute any of these content types.
How other platforms handle this
You must not, and must not allow others to: Facilitate illegal or harmful activity through the End User Services; Cause harm to us or others through the End User Services;
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.
You agree not to post, upload, publish, submit or transmit any content that: (i) infringes, misappropriates or violates a third party's patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, moral rights or other intellectual property rights, or rights of publicity or privacy; (ii) violates, or encourages any ...
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"No Illegal or Harmful Content. You may not use the Services to transmit, store, display, distribute or otherwise make available content that is illegal, harmful, or offensive, including content that: infringes or misappropriates the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others; is defamatory, obscene, abusive, invasive of privacy, or otherwise objectionable; contains or promotes child sexual abuse material or exploitation of minors.— Excerpt from Amazon's AWS Acceptable Use Policy
(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision directly implicates 18 U.S.C. § 2256 et seq. (CSAM, DOJ/FBI enforcement), 17 U.S.C. § 512 (DMCA safe harbor, copyright infringement), FTC Act Section 5 (obscene/deceptive content), state criminal statutes on obscenity, and EU law including DSA Arts. 14-16 (illegal content notice-and-action obligations) and GDPR Art. 9 restrictions on sensitive content. CSAM prohibition engages mandatory reporting requirements under 18 U.S.C. § 2258A (NCMEC CyberTipline reporting by electronic service providers). (2)
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This clause defines the scope of prohibited uses for AWS Services and establishes the operational boundary for acceptable content hosted on the platform. It requires AWS to maintain controls against specific categories of content that expose the service provider to legal liability or regulatory violation.
This clause prohibits a wide range of harmful and illegal content categories on AWS infrastructure, and because customers are responsible for end-user conduct, businesses hosting user-generated content face significant legal exposure if their platforms are used to store or distribute any of these content types.
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