Research Says Datacenter Industry Uses 57,785-Job Claims to Undercut Opposition
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 13
Research Says Datacenter Industry Uses 57,785-Job Claims to Undercut Opposition
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 13
Summary
New research says the datacenter industry uses propaganda, disinformation and information control to weaken local resistance, including opaque ad campaigns and attacks portraying critics as foreign-backed agitators.
57,785 jobs in Texas is one example the report cites to argue industry claims can mislead because they often blur temporary construction work, subcontracted roles and permanent positions while omitting tax breaks and abatements.
Google’s fight over water-use records in The Dalles, Oregon, is cited as part of a broader pattern in which developers and local authorities keep key data on water, power use and project terms out of public view.
Kevin O’Leary in May called two activists proxies for the Chinese government, then acknowledged he had no evidence; the researchers say such smears have spread from tech executives and Washington to local battles.
The authors urge mandatory disclosure of resource use, jobs and subsidies, plus tighter transparency around political advertising and campaign finance, arguing communities now face higher power costs, pollution, noise and water strain with little accountability.