Opposition to AI data centers is spreading beyond the US. Residents in Australia, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia are now challenging projects planned near their homes.
In Sydney, Australia’s largest property company has dropped a data center that would have stood about 20 meters from homes. The plan had drawn fierce local opposition.
Residents From Sydney to Korea Push Back
Goodman confirmed it would not proceed with Project Mars in the Lane Cove suburb. The company explained its decision in a letter.
“Goodman has carefully considered these changes together with feedback received through the planning process, including the views of the local community … Goodman has concluded that it will not progress with the development application,” it said.
Meanwhile, Victoria announced new planning rules last month. New data centers must supply their own renewable energy and cannot use drinking water for cooling. They must also sit at least 150 meters from homes, ABC reported.
In South Korea, residents of Seoul’s Geumcheon district have called on authorities to revoke a data center’s building permit. They have protested outside the local government office on weekday mornings for months, CNBC reported.
In Japan, residents of Inzai, a Tokyo commuter town, have sued the firm that certified a planned data center near their homes. Their lawsuit cites noise, hot air and lost sunlight. In Malaysia, more than 50 people staged the country’s first data center protest in Johor in February.
Across Europe, more than 70 projects were rejected or restricted in early 2026, according to the European Data Centre Monitor.
Nearly $200 Billion in US Data Center Projects Stuck on Local Resistance
In the US, local opposition blocked or delayed about 120 projects worth nearly $200 billion in the first half of 2026. That figure comes from research group Data Center Watch.
New York and Texas have also paused permits for large projects at the state level.
Public sentiment has hardened alongside those delays. A Quinnipiac University poll on September 30 found 72% of US adults oppose a local AI data center. That share stood at 65% in March.
Amazon responded with a $1 billion pledge for communities where it builds and operates data centers. AWS CEO Matt Garman warned that local opposition threatens the country’s lead in AI.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch leaders and journalists provide expert insights
