Finland opens criminal probe into Google subsidiary Tuike Finland over data centre site

Finnish police have opened a criminal investigation into suspected environmental law breaches at the construction site of a planned Google data centre in northern Finland. The company at the centre of the probe is Tuike Finland, a subsidiary of Alphabet’s Google.

Police announced the investigation on Thursday, Oct. 29. They flagged potential shortcomings in drainage and water management at the site.

The probe focuses on Tuike Finland Oy’s work in Muhos, a municipality in northern Finland. The Oulu police department, Oulun poliisilaitos, is overseeing the case, which was prompted by multiple complaints.

Authorities have said Tuike Finland carried out forest clearing and drainage at the location. About 330 hectares of forest were cleared at Muhos before environmental impact assessments were finalised.

That figure matters. It exceeds the threshold that triggers an environmental impact assessment requirement under Finnish law.

Google has said it believed the required approvals were in place. The investigation is expected to reach a conclusion by 2027.

How the project got here

In September 2026, Google announced plans to put €13 billion ($15 billion) into artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland. The US company described it as its largest single commitment in Europe.

The plan covers new data centres in Muhos, Kajaani and Vaala, plus an expansion of its existing operations in Hamina. It also includes a 22-year power purchase agreement with Fortum for nuclear power.

Things hit a snag within weeks. On Oct. 6, regulators ordered major preparatory works at the Muhos and Kajaani sites to stop, citing concerns that the necessary environmental assessments were not yet in place. The company was given a compliance deadline of Oct. 23.

In mid-October, Google Finland’s country manager, Antti Järvinen, issued a public apology. He said the company understood the compliance expectations and would immediately follow the order to halt work, while indicating Google had believed the work was lawful.

The policy backdrop

Finland is not hostile to data centres. The government has expressed support for data centre buildouts, and authorities have signalled continued backing for the sector even as this case unfolds.

Google’s own history in the country supports that view. The company already operates in Hamina, and its new commitment expands its footprint across several municipalities.

What this means for Google and the wider buildout

The most immediate risk for Google is timing. Two of its planned Finnish sites, Muhos and Kajaani, have already seen major preparatory works halted, and a criminal investigation running into 2027 adds another layer of uncertainty.

A criminal probe also raises the stakes beyond a regulatory slap on the wrist. Police investigations can lead to charges, and even without them, the process invites ongoing scrutiny of how the company handled its site preparation.

Still, the scale of the commitment cuts the other way. A €13 billion project paired with a 22-year nuclear power deal is not the kind of plan a company abandons over a permitting dispute, and Finland’s government has said it wants these facilities built.