this post was submitted on 06 May 2026
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Google Chrome is reportedly auto-installing a massive 4GB AI model without your consent (www.neowin.net)
submitted 11 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) by throws_lemy@reddthat.com to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Chrome version 147 silently downloads Gemini Nano's weights.bin file to local storage, sparking major privacy, data, and legal concerns.

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[–] muntedcrocodile@hilariouschaos.com -4 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

What's wrong with this? Isn't it preferable to run the LLM locally for privacy reasons? Plus googles open weight models are pretty good for what they are.

[–] atrielienz@lemmy.world 3 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

It downloads the 4GB local model and then doesn't use it. Instead chrome LLM usage is routed through their online LLM service instead.

Chrome’s most recent release, version 147, now includes an AI Mode pill in the omnibox, however, this routes queries to cloud-based AI servers. The local model is not used by that AI, instead it powers features like “Help me write”.

[–] garretble@lemmy.world 6 points 6 hours ago

They don’t tell you they are doing it, for one.

Even though this 4GB is local, the “omnibox” at the top that also uses Gemini shit doesn’t use this 4GB and still goes to the web to determine the slop it wants to provide.