If you’re using Google Chrome, your device may have secretly downloaded the 4GB AI model

Google Chrome may consume some extensions Storage space On your device. Based on reports earlier this month, the browser automatically downloaded a 4GB AI model to some users’ hard drives without their permission. This isn’t the first time Google has been discreet Interfere with users’ devicesPrivacy advocates say the practice may violate data laws.

The mystery file in question is Gemini Nano, an artificial intelligence model that runs on devices such as smartphones and laptops rather than in the cloud. according to Alexander Hanffa Swedish computer scientist and lawyer known as the “Privacy Guy”, was installed on some Chrome browsers without permission. You won’t know when it was downloaded to your device either.

Hanff said the Gemini Nano will only be installed if the device meets the hardware requirements. It is still unknown how many people have received the installation.

Gemini Nano It performs tasks like detecting fraudulent phone calls, helping you write text messages, summarizing recordings, and analyzing Pixel screenshots. Not to be confused with Artificial intelligence fashion Pills in the address bar. If you use AI mode, your queries will be directed to Google Gemini servers, not to Gemini Nano.

A Google spokesperson told CNET that the Gemini Nano will automatically uninstall if the device doesn’t have enough resources, such as processing power, RAM, storage space, or network bandwidth.

“In February, we began rolling out the ability for users to easily turn off and remove the form directly in Chrome settings,” the spokesperson said. “Once disabled, the form will not be downloaded or updated.”

Google provides more information about on-device generative AI models in Chrome On this web page.

How to get rid of an AI model

If you want to remove the 4GB AI model from your device, first check whether it is installed or not.

Chrome users won’t know they have Gemini Nano unless they look for it, because “Chrome didn’t ask” and “Chrome doesn’t show it,” Hanff said.

The easiest way to remove Gemini Nano from your device is to uninstall Chrome.

On a Mac

1. If you’re using a Mac, open discoverer By clicking on the blue smiley face icon located on the far left side of the dock.
2. Then click He goes In the top menu bar and hold down the Option key so that… library It appears in the drop-down list.
3. Click libraryThen go to App Support > Google > Chrome > Default. See if there is a folder called OptGuideOnDeviceModel. If the folder is present and contains a file named weights.bin, then the AI ​​model is installed.
4. To remove it permanently on your Mac, open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Then click Settingsthen system And toggle off On device AI.

On a Windows device

If you’re using a Windows device, there are several ways to check if Gemini Nano is installed.

1. One way is via the run command. Click on Windows key and Rpaste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel and press He enters. If this file appears, make sure Weights.bin is there.
2. You can also use File Explorer to verify that the AI ​​model is installed. Go to C:\Users\(YourUsername)\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel and search for weights.bin.
3. To get rid of the AI ​​model in Windows, open Chrome, go to Settings > Systemand toggle it to off Artificial intelligence on the device. While in Chrome, type chrome://flags in the address bar and search for Optimization Guide. Then set Enable Guide Optimization on Device to helpless.
4. Then restart Chrome by closing it completely, and using the menu to exit, not just closing the windows.
5. Finally, delete the local files by going to \AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data and deleting the OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder.

Why does it matter?

Hanf said the push may be aimed at helping Google cut costs by moving its AI work from its own servers to your computer.

“Running inference on users’ own devices allows them to push AI features without computational costs,” Hanf told CNET.

But Hanf noted that there could be legal repercussions, at least in Europe. He noted that the installation of Gemini Nano could constitute a violation of the principles of legality, fairness and transparency of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. Hanff said that, given the potential environmental impacts, Google should have made the announcement under its corporate sustainability reporting guidelines.

“Google has given us every reason not to trust it, given its two-decade history of widespread global privacy violations,” Hanf told CNET. “So, I suspect they thought that asking for permission (what the law requires) would hinder their ability to push that model, and of course everything that comes after it.”