As detailed in HackRead, a cybersecurity researcher has uncovered that Google Chrome is downloading a considerable AI mannequin, Gemini Nano, onto customers’ computer systems with out specific consent. This discovery raises important questions on consumer privateness and the power consumed by such background information transfers.Cybersecurity researcher Alexander Hanff found that Google Chrome is downloading a 4GB AI mannequin, Gemini Nano, onto customers’ machines in the event that they meet sure {hardware} necessities. The obtain happens silently within the background throughout idle occasions, initiated by the browser itself with none consumer interplay. Hanff’s assessments, performed on a clear Chrome profile on macOS in April 2026, confirmed the browser created an “OptGuideOnDeviceModel” folder and downloaded the “weights.bin” file inside 14 minutes.Google states the mannequin aids in options like rip-off detection, however the technique of distribution raised considerations amongst critics. Hanff estimates that if 100 million customers obtain it, the power consumption can be 24 GWh, escalating to 240 GWh if it reaches 30% of Chrome’s consumer base. Moreover, Hanff argues this silent set up probably violates the EU ePrivacy Directive and GDPR, which mandate transparency and consent for information storage on consumer gadgets. He cited breaches of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR ideas, together with lawfulness, equity, transparency, and information safety by design.The same problem was famous with Anthropic’s Claude Desktop app. Customers can verify for the mannequin at “chrome://on-device-internals” and disable it through Chrome Settings or “chrome://flags”.Supply: HackRead
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