Did Chrome Just Install a Massive AI Model on Your Device Without Telling You? Yes, Probably

A security researcher says recent Chrome versions on some eligible desktop devices quietly downloaded Gemini Nano, a 4GB on-device AI model, without a clear opt-in prompt.

Google says users can disable and remove the model through Chrome settings, but the rollout has sparked consent and transparency concerns.

The issue matters because it could affect privacy, local storage, and compliance with European data rules on a widely used browser.