Finland Halts Google Datacentre Construction Following Illegal Clearcutting of 250,000 Trees

Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy has suspended preparatory operations for its artificial intelligence datacentre project after Finnish regulators ordered a halt by October 23. The intervention follows the clearing of an estimated 250,000 trees across 330 hectares (816 acres) near Muhos, alongside tree removal at a second site, without mandatory environmental impact assessments. Regulators cited unpermitted topsoil stripping, road building, and drainage alterations. The project forms part of Google's €13 billion ($15 billion) Nordic infrastructure plan. Google apologized and pledged to replant roughly 321 acres amid public outcry and wildlife displacement.