An estimated 400K trees were felled at two sites, and authorities say permits may be lacking

Posted Oct 29, 2026 4:33 PM CDT

Finland just put Google's massive data-center push under a criminal microscope. Police have opened an investigation into whether Tuike Finland, a Google subsidiary, illegally cleared and drained more than 800 acres of forest in the northern town of Muhos before completing legally required environmental impact reviews, reports the Guardian . Authorities say early findings point to problems with drainage and water management, and regulators have already ordered work halted at Muhos and a second site in Otanmaki.

"We are investigating whether the company's operations have breached the water act and resulted in environmental damage," Detective Superintendent Kari Pakanen tells Reuters . The investigation lands as Finland weighs 145 prospective data centers, including a $14.5 billion Google AI infrastructure project.…