AWS is basically a utility. I think it's inevitable that their carelessness around billing will end up with them being regulated like one.
AWS is basically a utility. I think it's inevitable that their carelessness around billing will end up with them being regulated like one.
I can't think of another regulated utility that doesn't provide service to (essentially) all humans directly in their homes.
Everyone knows what water and electricity are, the vast majority couldn't explain what service AWS provides.
I wonder what fraction of homes don't load anything from AWS on a daily basis. I suspect it's way below 50%.
(Of course, they don't know they're using it, they're using a service on it)
And utilities are typically natural monopolies. They're good candidates for regulation because they're essentials and they don't have competitive forces to keep them behaving reasonably.
AWS has plentiful competitors. If you don't like their behavior, don't patronize them!