Overview
- Google, which issued a statement Wednesday, said the weights.bin file is Gemini Nano for on-device features and noted an opt-out began rolling out in February.
- Researchers traced Chrome creating an OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder and downloading a roughly 4GB weights.bin file on eligible machines, then restoring it if deleted.
- Users can check chrome://on-device-internals or their Chrome profile folder, and can remove and block re-downloads by turning off On-device AI in Settings > System.
- Chrome’s address-bar AI Mode sends queries to Google’s servers, while the local Gemini Nano file powers quieter tools like scam warnings and writing help.
- Privacy and cost concerns are mounting, with EU-law claims over consent and estimates of large energy use for mass downloads, though no enforcement actions are reported.