Google: Google to launch new cloud region in Saudi Arabia

Google recently announced that it will be launching its Saudi Arabian cloud region this week. Anthony Cirot, Google Cloud’s EMEA South VP, posted on LinkedIn, “I'm thrilled to share an exciting milestone in Google Cloud's journey: the launch of our new cloud region in Saudi Arabia. This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to empowering businesses and organizations in the Kingdom to embrace the digital era and transform their operations.”

The invite reads, “A new cloud region has arrived to Saudi Arabia to help your business forge ahead, make smarter data-driven decisions, and scale to serve your customers better. With the availability of faster and more secure cloud infrastructure, innovation and rapid development will be within reach of every company.”

Google has been criticized for the partnership, which is said to contradict the technology company’s carbon goals by supporting an oil company. Human rights groups have also criticized the cloud region as about 40 organizations have called on Google to cancel the project due to Saudi Arabia's well-documented record of illegally surveilling its own citizens, and torture of dissidents.