Google's Finnish datacentre forest clearing: halted work, police probe into 330 hectares
Overview
Finnish police have opened a preliminary criminal investigation into Google subsidiary Tuike Finland's clearing and drainage of 330 hectares of forest at Muhos for a datacentre.
Police say there have been "ambiguities and shortcomings" in drainage and water management at the site, and the probe is not expected to conclude until 2027.
The Guardian reported that Google illegally clear-cut the forest, felling an estimated 250,000 trees, after failing to complete required environmental impact assessments. Finland's licensing authority halted work at Muhos and at a second site at Kajaani-Otanmäki on October 14. Google's Finland country manager apologised for the clearing. A petition of more than 93,000 people is pressing for stricter datacentre regulation.
Written by AI from the articles below · updated Oct 30, 2:50 PM ET
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Developments
2 developments
- Oct 30, 2:00 PM ET · 1 articleFinnish police open preliminary criminal investigation into Google subsidiary's forest clearing for Muhos data centerTechRadar · AI: Police open criminal probe into Google's Finnish data center forest clearing
- Oct 22, 7:22 AM ET · 1 articleGoogle illegally felled about 250,000 trees for a Finnish datacentre site in MuhosThe Guardian · AI: Google illegally clears 250,000 trees in Finland for a datacentre, drawing national outcry
Article timeline
The articles in this story. Times are ET.
- TechRadar · AINewsPolice open criminal probe into Google's Finnish data center forest clearing
AIFinnish police have opened a preliminary criminal investigation into Google subsidiary Tuike Finland's clearing and drainage of 330 hectares of forest at Muhos for a data center. Police cite ambiguities and shortcomings in drainage and water management, and the probe is not expected to conclude until 2027.
- The Guardian · AINewsGoogle illegally clears 250,000 trees in Finland for a datacentre, drawing national outcry
AIGoogle 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.
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