Chrome Under Fire for Secret 4GB On-Device AI Install Without Consent
Security researcher Alexander Hanff revealed that Chrome quietly installs a 4GB weights.bin file for Gemini Nano's on-device AI whenever default AI features are enabled, re-downloading it if the user tries to delete it and offering no consent or transparency. The move has sparked privacy and data-regulation concerns (GDPR), potential environmental impact from emissions tied to widespread device usage, and broad backlash, with Mozilla promising a kill switch and Vivaldi calling for user autonomy while Google remains silent.
