Hermantown Resident Removed from Google Open House Over Question About Data Center

A Hermantown resident was removed from a Google Open House event after he attempted to ask a question about the company's proposed data center in the area.

Jonathan Thornton, who attended the meeting, claimed that his question about Google's perspective on recent Hermantown behavior, referencing leaked audio of city leaders making disparaging remarks about data center opponents, was not answered due to screening.

Thornton stated that he followed the guidelines and tried to submit his question but was unable to get an answer. He then raised the issue with a Google representative, who asked him to leave after mentioning that she thought his questions were being screened.

A Google spokesperson responded by stating that the company takes community feedback seriously and made efforts to address previous open house questions during the presentation.