Did Chrome download a 4GB AI model on your PC without your consent? What users should know

Google Chrome is facing criticism after reports claimed that the browser quietly downloaded a 4GB Gemini Nano AI model file on some devices. Users have raised concerns over disk space, consent, bandwidth use, and the file reportedly returning after deletion.

New Delhi: Google Chrome is facing fresh criticism after reports claimed that the browser quietly downloaded a large on-device AI model file on some Windows machines without clearly asking users first. The file, called weights.bin or weight.bin in reports, is said to be around 4GB and linked to Google’s Gemini Nano model used for Chrome’s built-in AI features.

The issue came into focus after users started noticing that space on their C: drive was disappearing. Security expert Alexander Hanff pointed to Chrome’s OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder as the location where the AI model file was stored. Hanff wrote, “Google Chrome is reaching into users’ machines and writing a 4 GB........

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