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Google faces criminal probe in Finland over data center deforestation

This story is from 2026-10-29. It is preserved in the archive; the latest stories are on the live feed.

Finnish police have opened a criminal investigation into Google's local subsidiary over environmental damage from clearing 330 hectares of forest for an AI data center, citing drainage and water management issues. Separately, Minnesota's pollution agency will review a Google data center after a lawsuit settlement.

Read the full story at Government Technology AI ↗

Timeline · 4 reports

  1. 2026-10-30 18:00 · TechRadar AI
    After Google cleared 330 hectares of forest for an AI data center, Finland has launched a criminal investigation into 'ambiguities and ‌shortcomings in the drainage and water management'
  2. 2026-10-30 18:00 · TechRadar AI
    Criminal investigation launched into Google's Finnish data center project
  3. 2026-10-30 10:40 · Tom's Hardware
    Google hit with criminal probe over unapproved AI data center deforestation
  4. 2026-10-29 21:18 · Government Technology AI
    Lawsuit Prompts Minnesota to Review Data Center Project

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