Google cleared 300 hectares of Finnish forest

Google cleared approximately 300 hectares of Finnish forest for its €13 billion data center expansion before completing required environmental reviews, prompting Finland's regulatory agency to investigate whether the company obtained proper approval. Google claims the forest clearing complied with Finnish law and that surveyed areas posed no environmental risk, but environmental groups dispute this, citing satellite imagery showing protected areas were leveled. The investigation could potentially halt construction as regulators assess whether Google circumvented formal approval procedures.