# Google illegally clears 250,000 trees in Finland for a datacentre, drawing national outcry

> Original title: ‘Pure arrogance’: anger in Finland as Google illegally fells 250,000 trees for datacentre

- Source: The Guardian · AI
- Published: 2026-10-22T11:22:23.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/xn3ww6ilr71ww7nm896qb4rcx
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/oct/22/finland-google-felling-trees-datacentre

## Summary

Google illegally clear-cut about 330 hectares of forest near Muhos in northern Finland to build a datacentre, felling an estimated 250,000 trees. Finland's licensing authority ordered work halted at Muhos and Otanmäki after the company failed to complete required environmental impact assessments. Google's Finland country manager apologised, while residents, conservationists and a petition of more than 93,000 people press for stricter datacentre regulation.