Google Chrome silently downloads 4GB AI model without user consent, sparking privacy concerns
ByPulseAugur Editorial·
Summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite
from 102 sources
Google Chrome has been found to be silently downloading a 4GB AI model, Gemini Nano, onto users' devices without explicit consent. Security researcher Alexander Hanff discovered that the file, named "weights.bin," is installed in hidden directories and automatically re-downloads if deleted, unless AI features are disabled or Chrome is uninstalled. This practice has raised concerns about user privacy, potential violations of EU regulations like GDPR, and significant environmental impact due to widespread distribution.
AI
IMPACT
Raises significant concerns about user consent and privacy for AI features integrated into widely used software, potentially influencing future regulatory actions.
RANK_REASON
A widely used product is alleged to be violating privacy laws and user consent by silently downloading a large AI model.
Google Chrome may be taking up more of your storage than expected thanks to a large on-device AI model file that, in some cases, is being automatically downloaded to the browser's system folders. Users who have noticed unexplained drops in their available desktop device storage a…
Chrome has been silently installing Google's Gemini Nano AI model on user devices. A privacy researcher caught it during an automated audit: 4GB downloaded in 14 minutes, no user interaction, no consent prompt. Here's what it does and how to remove it. https:// go.aintelligencehu…
# Google installiert heimlich # GeminiNano : Viele Nutzer bemerkten erst spät, dass # Chrome heimlich rund 4 GB # Speicherplatz belegt: das lokale # AI Modell # GeminiNano .
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent.🤨 This violates GDPR!😡 🇺🇸 https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ 🇳🇱 https:// androidworld.nl/nieuws/google- chrome-installeert-stiekem-4gb-aan-ai-op-computers/ 😲At a billion-…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent.🤨 This violates GDPR!😡 🇺🇸 https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ 🇳🇱 https:// androidworld.nl/nieuws/google- chrome-installeert-stiekem-4gb-aan-ai-op-computers/ 😲 At a billion…
Does anyone know if @ Vivaldi users are impacted by Google Chrome's 4GB AI Model? # browser # browsers # ai # aimodel # google # chrome # malware # googlemalware # vivaldi
Chrome's AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage 구글 크롬의 AI 기능을 활성화하면 Gemini Nano라는 4GB 크기의 온디바이스 AI 모델 파일(weights.bin)이 자동으로 다운로드되어 PC 저장 공간을 크게 차지할 수 있습니다. 이 모델은 로컬에서 실행되어 개인정보 보호에 유리하지만, 저장 공간이 부족한 사용자에게는 부담이 될 수 있습니다. 사용자는 크롬 설정에서 온디바이스 AI 기능을 비활성화해야 해당 파일이 삭제되…
Google downloads a 4GB Gemini Nano model for on-device processing in Chrome. It's been doing that for years, though the company has done a poor job of explaining what it is doing and why. https:// arstechnica.com/google/2026/05 /no-google-hasnt-changed-chromes-local-ai-features-i…
📰 Chrome Silently Installs a 4GB AI Model On Your Device Without Consent Longtime Slashdot reader couchslug shares a report from That Privacy Guy's Alexander Hanff: Two weeks ago I wrote about Anthropic silently registering a Native Messaging bridge in seven Chromium-ba... 📰 Sour…
google chrome is downloading a 4gb LLM to your machine unless you have opted out of all their # AI # SLOP # ai_slop https://www. theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026 /05/07/chrome-silently-installs-a-4-gb-local-llm-on-your-computer/5230893
The Verge: Chrome’s AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage Here’s how you can find out, and get that storage back if you need it. https://www. theverge.com/tech/924933/googl e-chrome-4gb-gemini-nano-ai-features # AI # chrome # google
📰 Chrome’s AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage Google Chrome may be taking up more of your storage than expected thanks to a large on-device AI model file that, in some cases, is being automatically downloaded to the browser's system folders. U... 📰 Source: Th…
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El navegador Google Chrome descarrega, sense preguntar ni permís, un model de IA per a processos locals. Ocupa 4GB extres. https://www. tomshardware.com/tech-industry /cyber-security/google-chrome-silently-downloads-4gb-ai-model-to-your-device-without-permission-report-claims-res…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # HackerNews # Google # Chrome # AI # model # privacy # consent # technology # security
Google Chrome has reportedly pushed a 4GB Gemini Nano model to some devices without clear consent, storing weights in the OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder 💽 Users say Chrome redownloads the AI cache after deletion, raising transparency, storage, bandwidth, and EU privacy concerns ove…
Google Chrome scarica in segreto un modello AI da 4 GB: nessuna notifica agli utenti Google Chrome sta scaricando silenziosamente un file da circa 4 GB sui dispositivi degli utenti. A scoprirlo è stato un ricercatore di privacy, che ha notato la presenza di dati legati a un model…
واحد ماذابيه يبعد على google Chrome لبرشة أسباب، و سبب جديد ظهر: google Chrome صبّ لواحد # AI # model يوزن 4 جيڨاوات ماغير إستشارة https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ ال # Linux # Kernel عندو # Guide لصبّان و إستعمال # Filesystems جدد https:// git.ke…
Google bez zgody użytkowników instaluje 4-gigabajtowy model sztucznej inteligencji Gemini Nano w przeglądarce Chrome, co budzi kontrowersje dotyczące zajmowanego miejsca na dysku i potencjalnego naruszenia przepisów o ochronie prywatności. # si # ai # sztucznainteligencja # wiado…
Orlen, aspirując do miana korporacji opartej na danych, nawiązuje strategiczną współpracę z Amazon Web Services. Celem partnerstwa jest wdrożenie AI i uczenia maszynowego w celu zwiększenia efektywności kluczowych segmentów firmy, takich jak wydobycie i energetyka, a także przysp…
Report: Google Chrome silently downloaded a 4GB Gemini Nano model to users' devices (stored in OptGuideOnDeviceModel) without an explicit consent prompt; workarounds include disabling the optimization-guide flag or Group Policy. Read more: https:// cyberinsider.com/google-chrome …
Aquí teneis unas breves instrucciones para evitar que Google os calce sus 4GB de IA en el ordenador.... # chrome # ai https://www. reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/1 t536x6/psa_chrome_silently_downloaded_a_4gb_ai_model_on/
<p><em>An investigation into Gemini Nano, the on-device language model Google quietly placed inside Chrome, conducted on a stock Windows install of Chrome 147.0.7727.138 stable, extended into a full security and exploit catalog and a parallel analysis of Microsoft Edge's Phi-4-mi…
# GoogleChrome silently installs 4GB of # AI models, # GeminiNano , on users’ computers for features like scam detection and “Help me write.” This installation happens in the # background and can be deleted manually, but Chrome will re-download it unless the “ # ondeviceAI ” # se…
Google Chrome 'silently' downloads 4GB AI model to your device without permission, report claims — researcher says practice may violate EU law, waste thousands of kilowatts of energy Security researcher says that Google is likely in violation of EU law and wasting thousands upon …
Headline: # Google Chrome is reportedly auto-installing a massive 4GB # AI model without your consent Subtitle: # Chrome version 147 silently downloads # Gemini Nano's weights.bin file to local storage, sparking major privacy, data, and legal concerns. Source: https://www. neowin…
En defensa de # Mozilla # Firefox > Google Chrome silently installs 4 GB Gemini Nano AI model to user device without consent https:// alternativeto.net/news/2026/5/ google-chrome-silently-installs-4-gb-gemini-nano-ai-model-to-user-device-without-consent/ > Microsoft Edge found st…
https://www. tomshardware.com/tech-industry /cyber-security/google-chrome-silently-downloads-4gb-ai-model-to-your-device-without-permission-report-claims-researcher-says-practice-may-violate-eu-law-waste-thousands-of-kilowatts-of-energy # google # enshittification # AI
do you understand what just happened to your computer.. # GoogleChrome secretly downloaded a 4GB # AI model onto your device. Without asking.. Without telling you.. It's called weights.bin. It lives deep in your system folders. It powers # Gemini Nano - Google's on-device AI. htt…
If your have Chrome with AI features active, the browser download 4GB of AI model data : https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ Switch to something else, please. # Google # Chrome # AI
Meanwhile, in the # AI space…Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. This is why oversight and regulation, both hamstrung in recent years, are so very necessary. Citizen- and consumer-…
Chrome, instalando una IA de 4GB en los dispositivos de los usuarios sin preguntar y VS Code, agregando a Copilot como co-autor de tus commits en git sin tu consentimiento. ¿Qué más necesitas para convencerte de usar mejores alternativas? # bigthech # chrome # vscode # microsoft …
🔒 Chrome silently installs a 4GB AI model on your device without asking. No consent, no opt-in. Just Gemini Nano appearing on your hard drive. Link in the comment # Chrome # AI # Privacy # Google
Google Chrome silently installs a 4GB AI model to computers. If it is deleted, Google causes the machine to re-download the entire thing. There is no consent given by the user, other than installing # Chrome or buying a machine with it pre-installed. https:// superuser.com/questi…
An interesting twist on the AI file that Chrome is installing on systems. On my Windoze machine, it has a rather odd date modified: # google # chrome # ai
Chrome lataa nyt tietokoneelle 4 gigatavun paikallisen tekoälymallin - kysymättä lupaa tai ilmoittamatta asiasta Tiedosto latautuu itsestään kaikille tietokoneille sen kummemmin mitään ilmoittamatta, kunhan tietokone vain täyttää tietyt suorituskykyvaatimukset. Tekoälymalli-tiedo…
"It's just a browser bro, why make such a big deal about it?" -> Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ You know, back in the day this behavior was considered # Malware . But…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # ai # chrome # google
Pretty happy to use Firefox and NOT Claude Desktop App. 🤷 Claude Desktop Reportedly Adds Browser Access Bridge to Multiple Chromium-Based Browsers https:// cybersecuritynews.com/claude-d esktop-reportedly-adds-browser-access/ # ai
@ marcel ...es schrint, dass # Google auch die Nutzungsbedingungen von # Chrome geändert hat, und zwar von der Aussage, dass lokale # AI keine Daten an Google sende zur Aussage, dass lokale # KI -Daten an Google gesendet werden. Da ich kein Chrome installiert habe, kann ich das a…
Local AI is powerful, but Google's forced 4GB download on Chrome without clear consent is a major red flag. The article argues that true user-centric intelligence demands explicit consent and transparent management, or we risk turning our devices into someone else's compute farm.…
📰 Chrome’s Gemini Nano AI Uses 4GB Storage in 2026: How to Disable It Chrome's new AI features, powered by Gemini Nano, are consuming up to 4GB of local storage on user devices. This hidden data footprint has sparked concern among privacy advocates and system administrators alike…
📰 Chrome'un AI Özellikleri Bilgisayarınızda 4GB Depolama Tüketiyor Google Chrome’un yeni yapay zeka özelliklerinin bilgisayarınızda 4GB’a varan depolama alanı tükettiği ortaya çıktı. Bu görünüşte küçük bir detay, aslında kullanıcı deneyimi ve veri gizliliği üzerinde derin etkiler…
Chrome's AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage https://www.theverge.com/tech/924933/google-chrome-4gb-gemini-nano-ai-features # HackerNews # Tech # AI
New blog post: Google's Ghost in the Machine: Your 4GB AI Upgrade You Never Asked For Google Chrome quietly decided to install a rather hefty AI model on users' devices, raising questions about digital consent, resource hogging, and who really owns your hardware. It's a bold move…
Chrome's AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage https://www.theverge.com/tech/924933/google-chrome-4gb-gemini-nano-ai-features # Tech # AI # Browsers
# Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB # AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. — That Privacy Guy! https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ > Google Chrome is downloading a 4 GB Gemini Nano mode…
hey if you want to free up 4gb for something you actually fucking asked for then here's how to remove chrome's covert installation of an # AI model on your PC https://www. msn.com/en-us/technology/softw are/google-chrome-just-silently-installed-a-4gb-ai-model-on-your-device-here-…
Google Chrome force-installs a 4-gigabyte AI model - YouTube https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=mXYJeON5Xv4 # AI # GenAI # Chrome # GoogleChrome # GeminiNano
📢⚠️ Google Chrome is reportedly downloading a 4GB # GeminiNano AI model onto eligible devices without clearly notifying users, according to researcher Alexander Hanff. The report has triggered privacy, transparency, and # GDPR concerns. Read more: https:// hackread.com/google-chr…
I mean, ask me first... Google Chrome takes up 4GB of storage on your computer for AI, if you have space https:// 9to5google.com/2026/05/06/goog le-chrome-4gb-storage-ai-details/ # GoogleChrome # Google # Browser # AI # Storage # Tech
# Techspot : " Google Chrome has been silently pushing a 4GB AI model to your device without asking The browser automatically redownloads Gemini Nano files if users delete them " https://www. techspot.com/news/112309-googl e-chrome-has-silently-pushing-4gb-ai-model.html 6.5.2026 …
Google Chrome is quietly downloading a 4GB AI model onto your device without asking for permission. The OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder stores Gemini Nano for scam detection, but users cannot opt out and it redownloads after restart. https:// gizmodo.com/google-chrome-is-d ownloadin…
Chrome downloads a 4GB AI file without user consent, researcher alleges https://www. engadget.com/2166113/chrome-do wnloads-a-4gb-ai-file-without-user-consent-researcher-alleges/ # ai # chrome
Google Chrome Is Downloading a 4GB AI Model Onto Your Device Without Consent, Researcher Warns https://gizmodo.com/google-chrome-is-downloading-a-4gb-ai-model-onto-your-device-without-consent-researcher-warns-2000755201 # AI # Privacy # TechNews
Google Chrome 'silently' downloads 4GB AI model to your device without permission, report claims — researcher says practice may violate EU law, waste thousands of kilowatts of energy https://www. tomshardware.com/tech-industry /cyber-security/google-chrome-silently-downloads-4gb-…
🤯 Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. — That Privacy Guy! https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # chrome # privacy # ai
TechSpot: Google Chrome has been silently pushing a 4GB AI model to your device without asking. “Google Chrome users who have noticed unusual disk activity or unexplained drops in available storage should look for a folder called ‘OptGuideOnDeviceModel’ inside their Chrome direct…
📰 Chrome downloads a 4GB AI file without user consent, researcher alleges There's no opt-in, and the file reappears if deleted. 📰 Source: Engadget - Technology News & Expert Reviews 🔗 Link: https://www.engadget.com/2166113/chrome-downloads-a-4gb-ai-file-without-user-consent-resea…
Chrome downloads a 4GB AI file without user consent, researcher alleges https://www.engadget.com/2166113/chrome-downloads-a-4gb-ai-file-without-user-consent-researcher-alleges/ # Tech # AI # Privacy
Chrome’s AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage https://www. theverge.com/tech/924933/googl e-chrome-4gb-gemini-nano-ai-features # ai # google # chrome
If you are running Google Chrome on Windows and wish to disable the illicitly downloaded 4 GByte AI model, here are the steps to go though: Disable AI Features (Prevention) Deleting the file (weights.bin) is often ineffective as Chrome will automatically re-download it upon relau…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4GB AI Model on desktop systems without user consent. Learn how to find and delete it to reclaim your disk space. Full details here: https:// ostechnix.com/google-chrome-4g b-ai-model-weights-bin-file/ # GoogleChrome # GeminiNano # WeightsBin # A…
Chrome’s AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage Google Chrome may be taking up more of your storage than expected thanks to a large on-device AI model file that, in some cases, is being automatically downloaded to the browser's system folders. Users who have noti…
Chrome's AI features may be hogging 4GB of your computer storage https://www.theverge.com/tech/924933/google-chrome-4gb-gemini-nano-ai-features # Tech # AI # Google
Google Chrome ha scaricato silenziosamente un modello AI da 4 GB sui dispositivi degli utenti — senza notifica, senza consenso esplicito. L'IA integrata nel browser è affascinante tecnicamente, ma la trasparenza su cosa gira localmente resta una sfida aperta. Conoscere il proprio…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # ai # chrome # google
"Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane." # privacy # ai https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install
Google Chrome is apparently installing 4GB AI models without users' consent? https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # Google # Chrome # AI
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https:// lobste.rs/s/6a3u0y # ai # browsers https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www.thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome-silent-nano-install # Privacy # AI # Browsers
BREAKING: [Why bother asking?] Google may have downloaded a 4GB AI model to your system without asking or permission Ah, the famous Google arrogance is back in full swing! Reports are pouring in that Google has silently (why bother asking or informing?) been downloading a 4GB loc…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install # Google # Chrome # malware # AI # enshittification # environment # climate # te…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. — That Privacy Guy! https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ > Google Chrome is downloading a 4 GB Gemini Nano model on…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. # ai # google # chrome # climate https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/
In case you don’t see boosts, delete Chrome. It installs, and continuously re-installs if you uninstall, 4 GB worth of AI slop without your consent or knowledge on your hard drive. # Google # Chrome # AI https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/
Google po cichu instaluje model AI w Chrome Google Chrome bez pytania ani powiadomienia użytkowników instaluje po cichu na ich komputerach ważący 4GB model AI. Nawet jeśli usuniemy plik, korporacja zainstaluje nam go ponownie. Autor artykułu stwierdza, że takie działanie narusza …
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent (thatprivacyguy.com) https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # Google # chrome # ai # privacy
Oof: Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # Google # Chrome # AI
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # google # chrome # ai # aimodel # llm # gemini
4 giga what now “Google Chrome automatically installs local neural network components on user systems via default configurations. The browser downloads a 4GB local version of Gemini Nano without explicit user consent.” https:// winaero.com/google-chrome-secr etly-downloads-huge-l…
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent. At a billion-device scale the climate costs are insane. https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # Google # Chrome # AI # Security # Privacy
Google Chrome silently installs a 4 GB AI model on your device without consent https://www. thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome -silent-nano-install/ # technology # enshittification # ai # slop # llm # chrome # google
