Finnish Police Investigate Google's Data Center Project

Finnish police have opened a preliminary investigation into forest clearing and drainage for Google's planned AI data center in Muhos. The investigation concerns suspected environmental damage, with other possible charges dependent on its findings, according to reports by Yle and The Guardian cited by TechRadar.

The reports say Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland cleared and drained 330 hectares of forest before completing the necessary environmental impact assessments. Police said preliminary information pointed to ambiguities and shortcomings in drainage and water management at the construction site. The investigation is expected to continue until some point in 2027.

Construction at the Muhos site and a second site in Kajaani-Otanmäki was stopped on October 14, reportedly because environmental assessments were incomplete. Antti Järvinen, Google Finland's country manager, apologized for the forest clearing and said Google had acted according to its “best understanding” of the legislation at the time.

Reports say about 400,000 trees were felled across the two sites, including 250,000 in Muhos. Finnish conservationists say the work displaced three-toed woodpeckers; The Guardian also reported that wolves entered a village near Otanmäki after losing forest habitat. The investigation's findings are expected to be closely watched.