Chrome Secretly Downloads 4GB AI Model Without Consent

Google Chrome is silently downloading a 4GB Gemini Nano AI model onto users' devices without notice or permission. The file, called weights.bin, powers on-device features like scam detection and automatically re-downloads itself if deleted, with no opt-out available unless users manually disable the feature in settings. Security researcher Alexander Hanff says the practice likely violates EU privacy law including GDPR. Critics also flag environmental costs, potential financial harm to users on metered connections, and the broader pattern of Big Tech enabling AI features by default while burying opt-outs in settings menus.