Google controversies

Finnish regulator orders Google to halt work on two data centers pending environmental impact assessments

Ban or restriction

Finland's Licensing and Supervision Agency (LVV) on Tuesday issued a notice to Google subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy ordering it to suspend building work on planned data center projects in Muhos and Kajaani until environmental impact assessments have been completed, covering activities such as tree removal, excavation and road construction. The LVV ordered Google to halt work no later than Oct. 23. A Google spokesperson said the company understood the concerns and had fallen short of its own high standards, said it acted in good faith under the Forestry Act having run nature surveys, and said it would follow the LVV's guidance.

Google executives set to testify at New York City Council hearing on AI risks

Investigation

Senior leaders from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta are scheduled to testify under oath on October 5, 2026 at a New York City Council 'Committee of the Whole' hearing on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, where the companies will be asked to explain the threats AI presents and weigh in on potential legislative solutions. Anthropic, OpenAI and Google agreed to appear only after the Council threatened to subpoena them. Anthropic is sending Frontier Red Team head Logan Graham, OpenAI is represented by Morgan Dwyer, head of policy development and operations, Google by AI and emerging tech policy director Alice Friend, and Meta by AI policy director for legislation Shane Cahill. The hearing follows intensifying scrutiny of leading AI labs' safety and security practices.

US judge dismisses Chegg and Penske Media antitrust lawsuits against Google over AI Overviews

Ruling

A US District Judge dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought by Chegg and Penske Media Corporation, the parent company of Rolling Stone, against Google. The plaintiffs had accused Google of abusing its monopoly power by coercing publishers into supplying content for AI Overviews for free and by diverting traffic and revenue away from their sites. The judge ruled that the claims made by Penske Media Corporation and Chegg do not stand up to antitrust law.

US District Judge Amit Mehta dismissed a pair of antitrust lawsuits filed by Chegg and Rolling Stone parent company Penske Media Corporation, which accused Google of abusing its monopoly power by coercing publishers into supplying content for AI Overviews for free and diverting traffic and revenue away from their sites. The judge ruled that PMC and Chegg's claims do not stand up to antitrust law.

Google challenges EU orders to open up to AI and search-engine rivals

Lawsuit filed

According to Reuters, Google has launched a legal challenge against European Union orders that require it to open up its services to AI and search-engine rivals. The dispute concerns the EU's demands that the company provide access to competitors in these areas. Google's move represents a formal legal contest of the orders, as reported by the news agency.

Per Reuters, Google has launched a legal challenge against European Union orders that require it to open up its services to AI and search-engine rivals.

Sen. Warren and Senate Democrats send letters to Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft seeking information on AI tax subsidies

Investigation

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined by Democratic Sens. Tina Smith and Jeff Merkley, sent letters Sunday night to the CEOs of Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft seeking information on tax deductions the companies claimed for AI and data center development under the 2025 'one big beautiful bill' act and on their lobbying efforts ahead of the bill's passage. The letters cite falling corporate tax payments even as revenues rise, and request answers by Oct. 12. Spokespeople for all four companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Stated objective. Seek information on tax deductions claimed related to AI and data center development and on lobbying efforts in the lead-up to the passage of the 2025 'one big beautiful bill' act, with answers requested by Oct. 12.

Google says ShinyHunters hackers expanded attacks on Oracle's PeopleSoft

Issue disclosure

Google reported that the ShinyHunters hacking group has expanded its attacks to Oracle's PeopleSoft software. According to Google, the group's targeting has moved beyond its previous scope to include PeopleSoft. The report identifies ShinyHunters as the actor behind this expansion of attacks. No further details about the methods, victims, or impact were provided in the source.

Character.AI files voluntary bankruptcy petition in Delaware

Bankruptcy

On October 12, 2026, AI companion platform Character.AI filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition with the US federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, listing estimated liabilities of $50 million to $100 million. The filing identifies Google as its largest unsecured creditor, owed $4.14 million, followed by law firm Hogan Lovells with $2.12 million in unpaid fees, and lists three litigation-related debts of undetermined amounts. A bankruptcy auction is expected to be completed between late November and early December 2026; if no buyer emerges, Character.AI will cease operations entirely. Disney is currently the only prospective buyer named, willing to bid $20 million for part of the company's intellectual property.

Stated objective. To produce a viable plan through the bankruptcy sale process that allows the platform to continue operating; if no such bid emerges, the platform will cease operations.

Google Health AI coach reported to hallucinate workouts and health data

Issue disclosure

Fitbit users reported that Google's redesigned Google Health app and its premium AI Health Coach hallucinated workouts and health data. According to the reports, the issues included fabricated workout summaries, incorrect exercise numbers, and false sleep tracking. These problems prompted complaints on social media and subscription cancellations.

U.S. search monopoly case

A U.S. federal court found that Google unlawfully maintained monopoly power in general search and search text advertising through exclusionary distribution arrangements and related conduct.

Location tracking and privacy disclosure controversy

U.S. states alleged that Google’s account settings and product practices could lead users to believe location tracking had been disabled when location data could still be collected. The matter resulted in multistate settlement and transparency commitments.

Whistleblower alleges Google DeepMind project involves planetary surveillance

Issue disclosure

In 2019, former Google developer Zach Vorhies alleged that Google's DeepMind project involved planetary surveillance and said the system had been moved to China. DeepMind disputed the claims, stating that it is headquartered in the UK and does not have operations in China. The controversy centered on the nature and location of the DeepMind project, with the whistleblower's assertions and the company's denial presenting conflicting accounts.

US DOJ investigates Google–Looker deal

Investigation

The US Department of Justice's antitrust division began an in-depth investigation of Google's planned acquisition of Looker Data Sciences, seeking information from both companies to assess whether their combination could harm competitors.

Stated objective. Determine whether the combination would harm other competitors.

Report says Google funded climate change denial organizations

Issue disclosure

Business Insider, citing The Guardian, reported that Google had funded think tanks and lobbying organizations that actively oppose climate legislation and deny climate change. Google said its sponsorships did not mean it endorsed those organizations' entire agendas and reiterated its climate position.

USITC launches investigation into patent infringement allegations

Investigation

In 2019, the U.S. International Trade Commission decided to investigate allegations by GlobalFoundries that TSMC and other companies infringed 16 of its patents. The investigation concerns the patent infringement claims raised by GlobalFoundries against TSMC and other companies. The allegations are not presented as a determination of infringement, and the source material does not indicate that the infringement claims have been established.

Users report Pixel 3 shutting down below 30% battery

Hazard disclosure

Android Authority reported that some Pixel 3 users said their phones automatically shut down when the battery fell below 30%. The article says Android Authority contacted Google about the reports and was awaiting further information on a solution.

Google responds to claims about Ascension patient data

Company response

In November 2019, Google executives responded to media reports and criticism concerning the handling of patient information provided by Ascension. According to the response, the company stated that it had not misused the health data supplied by Ascension and that no patient data had been used for Google AI research. The statement addressed concerns raised over how patient information was handled in connection with Ascension.

Google executives said the company had not misused health data provided by Ascension and that no patient data was used for Google AI research, responding to media reports and criticism over the handling of patient information.

US civil rights office investigates Google–Ascension data use

Investigation

In November 2019, it was reported that the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights was investigating the situation involving Google and Ascension patient data. The report described the investigation as ongoing and did not state any finding or conclusion. No outcome, allegation, or additional detail beyond the existence of the investigation was reported.

The article reported that the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights was investigating the situation involving Google and Ascension patient data. The article did not report a finding.

London court rules in Google’s favor in Goooglie Cars dispute

Ruling

A London judge ruled in favor of Google in its dispute with Goooglie Cars over the taxi company’s logo. The judge ordered Goooglie Cars’ director to pay Google’s capped legal costs, but rejected Google’s request that the company change its name.

Google employees sign letter demanding climate action

Public backlash

In November 2019, more than 1,000 Google employees signed an open letter asking the company to make climate-related commitments and other policy changes. The letter was reported amid criticism of Google over climate change. The signatories called on the company to take action on climate issues and to adjust other policies. The event was covered in a CNET report on Google's launch of a program to help sustainability startups.

Google sues Texas attorney general over confidential information in antitrust probe

Lawsuit filed

Google filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to prevent its confidential business information from being disclosed to rivals during a multi-state probe into possible antitrust violations by Google. The dispute centered on the handling of confidential information within the investigation.

Google sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to prevent its confidential business information from being disclosed to rivals during a multi-state probe into possible antitrust violations by Google.

Stated objective. To ensure that its confidential business information will not be disclosed to rivals.

ACCC sues Google over location data

Lawsuit filed

In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed a lawsuit against Google. The regulator accused the company of misleading Android users about the steps required to disable Google's ability to track and use their location data. According to the ACCC's allegation, users were not accurately informed about how to turn off this functionality. The case concerns the presentation of location-data settings to consumers on the Android platform. The ACCC's action was reported as a lawsuit over the use of location data.

Australia’s ACCC sued Google, accusing it of misleading Android users about the steps needed to disable Google’s ability to track and use their location data.

Indian court rules YouTube and Google liable in copyright case

Ruling

A local court ruled that YouTube and Google were liable for infringing filmmaker Suneel Darshan's copyrights, ordered compensation, and required YouTube to prevent similar infringements going forward. The verdict was reported as subject to likely appeal.

Genius sues Google and LyricFind over lyrics

Lawsuit filed

Genius Media sued Google and lyric-licensing company LyricFind, alleging they misappropriated lyrics from its website. Genius sought at least $50 million in combined damages; Google and LyricFind had previously disputed wrongdoing.

Genius sues Google over alleged content copying

Lawsuit filed

Genius sued Google, alleging that the search engine copied its content and engaged in anticompetitive practices.

Inform sues Google over alleged ad-market antitrust violations

Lawsuit filed

Inform Inc. sued Google, alleging that Google used its monopoly power in internet search and mobile operating systems to undermine competition in the advertising market.

Google offers refunds to Stadia game buyers

Company response

After games were added to the Stadia Pro subscription shortly after some customers had bought them, Google offered eligible purchasers the option to request refunds, including outside its normal policy.

Google responds to Stadia 4K complaints

Company response

Google responded to complaints that some Stadia games did not render at true 4K, saying developers could choose techniques to achieve image quality and frame rates on the service.

Google workers terminated amid organizing campaign

Issue disclosure

Liberation News reports that four Alphabet workers were terminated for violating data-access policies and says the organizers had been involved in a campaign opposing Google's collaboration with U.S. border authorities. The article characterizes the terminations as retaliation; this is an allegation reported by the source.

French data authority fines Google €50 million

Fine or penalty

France’s data protection authority fined Google LLC €50 million for lack of transparency, inadequate information and lack of valid consent regarding personalized advertisements. The article reports that the authority identified GDPR breaches relating to Android’s activation process.

Employee protest over sexual-harassment handling

Employees and contractors staged a global walkout after reporting dissatisfaction with Google’s handling of sexual-harassment complaints and severance arrangements for senior executives accused of misconduct.

Regulatory and disclosure issues surrounding Google’s IPO

Google’s IPO process drew scrutiny over unreported insider stock or option disclosures and interviews published during the securities-offering quiet period. The SEC approved the offering but indicated that related inquiries would continue.