Many users of the most popular Internet browser in the world, Google Chrome, recently discovered that a four gigabyte file appeared on their computers without any question or notification. Riječ is about the Gemini Nano AI model being installed automatically, and this practice has raised concerns about a lack of transparency and potential violation of user privacy.
A file named “weights.bin” is located in the “OptGuideOnDeviceModel” folder inside the browser’s user data, and deleting it does not solve the problem because Chrome automatically downloads it again.
The discovery that started the avalanche
The whole case was exposed by security research. Alexander Hanff, known as “That Privacy Guy”. He monitored the browser’s activities on a completely new, unused Chrome profile on the macOS system and noted how Chrome created directories in the background, without any user interaction, and downloaded and installed the entire AI model in less than 15 minutes.
Hanff warned that this practice is a direct violation of European laws, including the GDPR and the e-Privacy Directive, which state that clear and unambiguous consent must be obtained for the storage of any data on the user’s device.
What is the file size and where is the problem?
Google explains that the Gemini Nano model is intended to perform AI functions directly on the user’s device, instead of sending data to the cloud for processing. This enables features like “Help me write”, automatic generation of web page summaries and advanced scam detection. Theoretically, this approach increases privacy because the data does not leave the computer.
The problem, however, arises because Chrome starts the installation on its own, regardless of whether the user wants to sacrifice four gigabytes of disk space or data traffic. This especially affects users with limited disk space or those using mobile internet packages.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that the most visible AI function in the browser, the “AI Mode” label in the address bar, does not use the locally installed model at all. All queries entered via this option are sent to Google’s servers, and the question arises as to the actual purpose of the forced installation.
How to check and permanently remove an AI model
Google said that Chrome will automatically remove the file if the system detects a lack of free space, and that they have introduced an option to turn it off.
If you want to check if you have the file and permanently remove it, you can do it in the following way. First, type chrome://settings/ai in the address bar of the browser and turn off all available AI options. After that, enter chrome://flags in the address bar, find the option “Enables optimization guide on device” and set it to “Disabled”. After restarting the browser, the folder and file of čfour gigabytes will be permanently deleted.