Trending Now - Users Outraged as Google Chrome Covertly Installs 4GB AI Model

WHO:

Futurism - Security researcher Alexander “The Privacy Guy” Hanff discovered the issue regarding Google Chrome.

Fast Company - The article discusses users, including the author, who are affected by the installation of the AI model.

WHAT:

Futurism - Google Chrome has been “silently” installing a four-gigabyte AI model named “Gemini Nano” on users’ devices without consent.

Futurism - The file associated with the AI model is named “weights.bin” and is located in a directory called “OptGuideOnDeviceModel.”

Futurism - Hanff estimates that deploying the AI model could release “between six thousand and sixty thousand tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions.”

Fast Company - Google added Gemini Nano in version 126 of Chrome, released in June 2024.

Fast Company - Google stated that they began rolling out the ability for users to turn off and remove the model in February.

WHERE:

Futurism - The AI model is being installed on devices worldwide, as Google Chrome has over three billion users globally.

Fast Company - The issue has been particularly noted on Mac and Windows operating systems.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The report by Hanff was published on May 4.

Fast Company - Google added Gemini Nano in version 126 of Chrome, released in June 2024.

Fast Company - Google began rolling out the ability to disable the model in February.

WHY:

Futurism - The lack of transparency and user consent in the installation of the AI model has led to user outrage and concerns over privacy.

Fast Company - The AI model is designed to improve in-browser AI features by running jobs on users' computers instead of sending data to the cloud.

HOW:

Futurism - The download of the AI model is triggered when Chrome’s default AI features are active.

Fast Company - Users can attempt to disable the model by toggling a setting in Chrome or by following a series of steps to remove it manually.

(UPDATED May 10, 2026 01:29 UTC)

A significant privacy concern has emerged as security researcher Alexander “The Privacy Guy” Hanff discovered that Google Chrome has been silently installing a four-gigabyte AI model named “Gemini Nano” on users’ devices without their consent. This installation, which affects devices worldwide, particularly on Mac and Windows operating systems, has sparked outrage due to the lack of transparency, with users now able to disable the model after Google began rolling out that option in February. Hanff estimates that deploying this AI model could result in the release of between six thousand and sixty thousand tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, raising further concerns about its environmental impact.