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Google hit with criminal probe over unapproved AI data center deforestation — 816 acres of forest destroyed in Finland as wolves flee into local villages, facility threatens 40% power bill hikes The local Fins have a reputation for their low propensity for data center protests, but they are being tested. A criminal investigation into the environmental damage caused by Google’s Finnish subsidiary has been launched. Tuike Finland Oy is being investigated after five complaints were received regarding the Muhos data center project, according to an official police statement published today [machine translation]. The police say that the investigation is backed by Finland’s Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV). Google/Tuike Finland Oy is accused of suspected breaches of environmental law and environmental damage. Other lesser criminal offenses related to ambiguities and shortcomings in the drainage and water management are also being investigated. Since Google representatives have previously publicly apologized for the unauthorized forest clearings near Muhos, which have turned 816 acres of forest into an expanse of mud, there seems little doubt it is guilty of some wrongdoing. Rather, it is the scale of the punishment and any proposed remedies that will probably be of most concern to execs from the tech giant now. As well as the awful mess Google has made near Muhos, it seems to have also jumped the gun and plowed ahead with data center development by clearing 500 acres of forest near Otanmäki. Though the horse has already bolted, Reuters reports that a Google rep said the company would cooperate with the police investigation and continue to focus on maintaining compliance at its sites. Maintaining? Last week we reported that wolves had descended on Finnish villages after their habitats had been destroyed to make way for the Google AI data centers. Data center developments were already a thorny issue with locals. Potential construction and operating noise, pollution, utility competition, and environmental damage concerns were overshadowed – for some – by the presence of wild animals that had moved out of the forest. Google sees Finland as an attractive location for data center development with its cool climate, affordable power, and government endorsement of AI projects. It has also benefitted from being able to develop in low population density areas and from a populace with a low propensity for protest. However, Google is testing the Finnish public with its trampling of the environment. The wolves, pollution, potentially 40% higher electricity bills, and other impacts weren’t helping its case, even before this criminal investigation. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Finnish government representatives have yet to comment on the case. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason. - hotaru251 unless its a billion or more in fine & requires em to restore forest and block em from building there entirely...its just cost of business. also every place need to straight up go "yes we have cheap power for consumers, however if you are a datacenter? you get a 1000% rate because you can afford it and we won't be taken advantage of" Reply - PEnns The fine should be that high that it almost makes Google go bankrupt. Which is a good thing on so many levels: A deterrent to any company doing as it pleases and ignoring a country's laws. Nobody would shed a tear if Google goes bankrupt. Well except the investors who don't seem to be willing to stop Google from such nefarious actions. So, let them suffer. Reply - hotaru251 PEnns said:Nobody would shed a tear if Google goes bankrupt.chip makers would. pixel fans would. lot of ppl who use their software would (specifically gmail being msot used email service by 2x the next closest) etc etc. PEnns said:The fine should be that high that it almost makes Google go bankrupt.While I also agree fines towards mega corps should be massive (to cost more than they make in a few yrs so it can't be covered as "cost of business") and make every other corpo realize to stop trying to break law and think can be free from actual punishment.....it won't happen. they'd just never do business there and avoid paying any fine. Reply - SomeoneElse23 There has to be personal accountability at a high level, plus massive fines. Otherwise corporations have no incentive to change. Also, the fines should go to the people, not to a government. Reply - bit_user SomeoneElse23 said:There has to be personal accountability at a high level, plus massive fines.It'd be wild to see some actual jail time! Not that I have any idea whether that's realistic, under Finish law. However, if crimes like bribery were involved, then yeah there's gonna be some jail time. SomeoneElse23 said:Also, the fines should go to the people, not to a government.This is the least likely outcome, IMO. Corporations are nearly always the ones that pay any fines. They provide a rather effective financial shield for their employees. Reply - TechLurker hotaru251 said:unless its a billion or more in fine & requires em to restore forest and block em from building there entirely...its just cost of business. also every place need to straight up go "yes we have cheap power for consumers, however if you are a datacenter? you get a 1000% rate because you can afford it and we won't be taken advantage of"Add in forcing them to fund a new powerplant (solar, geothermal, wind, hydro, NG, nuclear, whatever); not only to power the data center, but also to provide surplus electricity to the grid, bringing down its overall cost for the citizens. And if they want to expand, they also need to expand the powerplant or build another one to maintain a mandatory surplus. Reply
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