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Chrome Auto-Downloads 4 GB Gemini Model Without Consent

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chrome version 148.0.7778.97 automatically downloads a 4 GB Gemini Nano model file named weights.bin to the Chrome OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder.
Security researcher Alexander Hanff reported in early May that Chrome initiates the download without an upfront consent prompt.
Blocking the model is possible via the GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings policy for enterprises, while users may stop the download by disabling the On-device AI setting, turning off chrome://flags, or deleting weights.bin.

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Story summary

Chrome version 148.0.7778.97 automatically downloads a 4 GB Gemini Nano model file named weights.bin to the Chrome OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder.
Security researcher Alexander Hanff reported in early May that Chrome initiates the download without an upfront consent prompt.
Blocking the model is possible via the GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings policy for enterprises, while users may stop the download by disabling the On-device AI setting, turning off chrome://flags, or deleting weights.bin.