‘Pure Arrogance’: Anger in Finland as Google Faces Scrutiny Over Forest Clearing for Data Centres

Finnish authorities ordered work halted at planned Google data-centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani after concerns that forest clearing began before required environmental assessments were completed. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has accused Google’s project company, Tuike Finland, of unlawful clearing. Google said it acted in good faith under forestry law, but acknowledged it had fallen short of its own standards. The company’s Finland chief later apologized. Reports describe hundreds of hectares cleared; the claim that 250,000 trees were felled has not been substantiated.