UBC's contract with Amazon REVEALED!

Finally!

NINE MONTHS after the submission of a Freedom of Information request, we have obtained a copy of UBC’s TOP-SECRET contract with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

There were a number of delays, including a request for review by a mysterious “third party,” worried that the disclosure may be harmful to its “business interests." It’s clear that someone REALLY doesn’t want these six pages to go public.

Well, here they are: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xcyuEkdL7EtsuztHQYrEUmAFADn8bYds/view?usp=sharing

So what do they say? Essentially, in exchange for hosting a Cloud Innovation Center (CIC) on campus, UBC gets UP TO $3 million USD (about $4.1 million CAD) in AWS credits over 3 years. These credits “may only be used in support of Challenges” under the program, and “a valid AWS customer account is required” to redeem them. The total term of the contract is 5 years.

It may be worth noting that, in the discussion of indemnification under section 9, the term “University” is taken to include students, faculty, and staff. This suggests that we are all legally required to “indemnify, hold harmless and defend AWS … from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses … arising out of or related to University’s participation in the program,” including any illness, injury, or death.

Exhibit A outlines the university’s other commitments under the agreement, including: making available to AWS any university content used or created in completing a Challenge; contributing to AWS publications; and encouraging student participation. Meanwhile, Exhibit B outlines AWS’s (much fewer) commitments. And then, of course, there’s the non-disclosure agreement.

What do you think? Is it worth collaborating with the company that makes it possible for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out its crimes against humanity? If you’re a lawyer, law student, or legal scholar, we’d love to hear from you!