AWS Terms of Service Review

Amazon Web Services dominates cloud infrastructure but their terms give Amazon significant control. Broad termination rights, complex service-specific terms, and limited SLA remedies create risks that businesses should understand before building on AWS.

📅 Last Updated: January 27, 2026

📄 ToS Version: Dec 2025

⚠ 5 Risk Clauses

0100

Grade C

Consumer Fairness Index

📈 1 point below category avg (46)

⚠ Key Considerations

AWS terms are spread across multiple documents: the Customer Agreement, Service Terms for each service, and the Acceptable Use Policy. Each service may have different rules. Enterprise customers can negotiate better terms through Enterprise Agreement.

Score Breakdown by Category

How AWS terms rate across my evaluation categories.

🔒 Data Security & Compliance (30%) 55/100

⚖ Account & Termination (20%) 35/100

💰 SLA & Liability (20%) 40/100

📄 Terms Clarity (15%) 45/100

🚪 Data Portability (15%) 50/100

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

These provisions in AWS terms create the most significant risks for customers.

Broad Account Termination Rights

High Risk

AWS can suspend or terminate accounts for any violation of their terms, acceptable use policy, or "if we determine that your use poses a security risk." This is broader than most competitors.

"We may suspend your right to access or use any portion of the Services immediately upon notice if we determine your use poses a security risk." AWS Customer Agreement

Complex Service-Specific Terms

High Risk

Each AWS service has its own terms. Using multiple services means being bound by dozens of different agreements, each with unique limitations and restrictions.

"In addition to this Agreement, use of a Service is governed by the Service Terms applicable to that Service." AWS Customer Agreement

SLA Credit Limits

Medium Risk

AWS SLAs provide service credits for downtime, but credits are capped at a percentage of your monthly bill. Actual business losses from outages are not covered.

"Service Credits are your sole and exclusive remedy for any unavailability or non-performance of the Service." AWS Service Level Agreements

Pricing Changes

Medium Risk

AWS can change pricing with notice. While they typically announce decreases, increases are possible. Reserved instances lock in pricing but require upfront commitment.

"We may change our fees and pricing... by posting them to the AWS Site or notifying you." AWS Customer Agreement

Data Location Requirements

Medium Risk

While AWS offers region selection, some services may process data in other regions. Understanding exactly where your data resides requires careful service-by-service analysis.

"You may specify the AWS regions in which Your Content will be stored. You consent to the storage of Your Content in those regions." AWS Data Processing Addendum

Analysis

"AWS has become critical infrastructure for millions of businesses, but their terms reflect their dominant market position. The Customer Agreement gives Amazon significant unilateral control over your cloud infrastructure. Account suspension can happen quickly with limited recourse.

The complexity is the main challenge. Between the Customer Agreement, Service Terms for each service, SLAs, Data Processing Addendum, and Acceptable Use Policy, you're bound by thousands of pages of legal text. Most businesses don't have time to read it all, let alone understand the implications.

My recommendation: For serious AWS deployments, consider negotiating an Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) or Enterprise Agreement, which can provide better terms. Document your architecture, maintain multi-cloud optionality where possible, and keep excellent records of your AWS interactions."

AWS Terms of Service Review

⚠ Key Considerations

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ AWS Account Issues?

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Broad Account Termination Rights

Complex Service-Specific Terms

SLA Credit Limits

Pricing Changes

Data Location Requirements

Analysis

Need Help With AWS?

Schedule a Consultation

AWS Terms of Service Review

⚠ Key Considerations

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ AWS Account Issues?

Related Resources

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Broad Account Termination Rights

Complex Service-Specific Terms

SLA Credit Limits

Pricing Changes

Data Location Requirements

Analysis

Need Help With AWS?

Schedule a Consultation