Overview
- Multiple outlets on Wednesday reported that Chrome installs a roughly 4GB weights.bin tied to the Gemini Nano on‑device model when certain local AI features are active, often without a clear prompt.
- The file shows up in an OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder as weights.bin, with confirmations on Windows 11, Apple Silicon macOS, and Ubuntu systems that meet Chrome’s hardware checks.
- Deleting the file frees space only briefly because Chrome can fetch it again unless users turn off On‑device AI in Settings > System or disable related chrome://flags, and some profiles do not expose that setting.
- Gemini Nano supports features like Help me write, page summarizing, suggestions, and scam detection, while the prominent AI Mode button in Chrome routes queries to Google’s servers according to researcher tests.
- Privacy advocates say the background download may violate EU ePrivacy and GDPR consent rules and could burden users on metered plans with extra data and energy costs, and Google has not provided a detailed public explanation.