Finnish Police Initiate Criminal Investigation into Google Data Center Site Clearing
The Finnish police launched a criminal probe into potential environmental law violations at the site of a planned Google data center in Muhos, Finland.
Finnish police have initiated a criminal investigation into potential violations of environmental laws at the site of a planned Google data center in Muhos, Finland. This development comes after Tuike Finland, a Google subsidiary, cleared and drained approximately 330 hectares (815 acres) of forest at the datacenter site prior to completing necessary environmental impact assessments 123.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency had previously ordered Google to halt preparatory measures altering the environment at two sites, Muhos and Otanmäki, due to incomplete environmental impact assessments 1. The investigation now focuses on possible breaches of the Water Act and resulting environmental damage 2. According to campaigners, around 250,000 trees were felled at Muhos and 150,000 at Otanmäki 1.
Google’s Finland country manager expressed regret for the forest clearings but maintained that the company followed its understanding of the legislation at the time 1. The work at the data center site was halted by Finnish authorities at the beginning of October 2. Over 93,000 individuals have signed a petition calling for stricter regulations on datacenters and compensation for environmental damage 1.
Experts argue that despite the favorable conditions in Finland, such as a cool climate and low-carbon electricity, which make it attractive for data center construction, these facilities provide limited local job opportunities and minimal national benefits 12. The projected increase in Finland’s electricity consumption due to data centers could reach up to 40% 2.
What we know
- - Finnish police initiated a criminal investigation regarding potential violations of environmental laws at the site of a planned Google datacenter in Muhos, Finland 123
- - Tuike Finland cleared and drained approximately 330 hectares (815 acres) of forest at the datacenter site prior to completing necessary environmental impact assessments 1
- - The Finnish Supervisory Agency ordered Google to stop preparatory measures altering the environment at two sites, Muhos and Otanmäki, due to incomplete environmental impact assessments 1
- - Google's local subsidiary, Tuike Finland, allegedly cleared forests and drained land at the site near Muhos before completing necessary environmental impact assessments 2
- - The investigation focuses on possible breaches of the Water Act and resulting environmental damage 2
- - Work at the data center site was halted by Finnish authorities at the beginning of October 2
- - Google cleared hundreds of acres of forest for the data center 3
- - Campaigners estimate around 250,000 trees were felled at Muhos and 150,000 at Otanmäki 1
- - Google's Finland country manager expressed regret for the forest clearings but stated the company followed its understanding of the legislation at the time 1
- - Over 93,000 individuals have signed a petition calling for stricter regulations on datacenters and compensation for environmental damage 1
- - Experts argue that datacenters provide limited local job opportunities and minimal national benefits 1
- - Finland's favorable conditions, such as cool climate and low-carbon electricity, make it attractive for data center construction 2
- - Projected increase in Finland's electricity consumption due to data centers could reach up to 40% 2
- - The data center is planned for northern Finland 3
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 72%, weighted across 15 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- confirmed Finnish police initiated a criminal investigation regarding potential violations of environmental laws at the site of a planned Google datacenter in Muhos, Finland. (93%)
- likely Tuike Finland, a Google subsidiary, cleared and drained approximately 330 hectares (815 acres) of forest at the datacenter site prior to completing necessary environmental impact assessments. (72%)
- likely The Finnish Supervisory Agency ordered Google to stop preparatory measures altering the environment at two sites, Muhos and Otanmäki, due to incomplete environmental impact assessments. (72%)
- likely Google's local subsidiary, Tuike Finland, allegedly cleared forests and drained land at the site near Muhos before completing necessary environmental impact assessments. (71%)
- likely The investigation focuses on possible breaches of the Water Act and resulting environmental damage. (71%)
- likely Work at the data center site was halted by Finnish authorities at the beginning of October. (71%)
- likely Google cleared hundreds of acres of forest for the data center. (70%)
- unverified Google's project involves a $1.5 billion investment in AI infrastructure in Finland. (49%)
- likely Campaigners estimate around 250,000 trees were felled at Muhos and 150,000 at Otanmäki. (72%)
- likely Google's Finland country manager expressed regret for the forest clearings but stated the company followed its understanding of the legislation at the time. (72%)
- likely Over 93,000 individuals have signed a petition calling for stricter regulations on datacenters and compensation for environmental damage. (72%)
- likely Experts argue that datacenters provide limited local job opportunities and minimal national benefits. (72%)
- likely Finland's favorable conditions, such as cool climate and low-carbon electricity, make it attractive for data center construction. (71%)
- likely Projected increase in Finland's electricity consumption due to data centers could reach up to 40%. (71%)
- likely The data center is planned for northern Finland. (70%)
Sources
- The Guardian Europe — Finland launches criminal investigation into Google’s clearing of forest for datacentre site
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/29/finland-criminal-investigation-google-clearing-forest-datacentre - Al Jazeera — Finland launches criminal probe of suspected environmental damage by Google
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/10/29/finland-launches-criminal-probe-of-suspected-environmental-damage-by-google?traffic_source=rss - The Hill — Finnish police launch criminal probe over forest cleared for Google data center
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6182316-google-finland-data-center-investigation/