Google Chrome is quietly downloading a roughly 4 GB AI model to many users’ computers without clear upfront consent.
The file, called weights.bin, is part of Google’s Gemini Nano on-device language model and lands in the browser’s user data folder under OptGuideOnDeviceModel.
It powers built-in AI tools such as “Help me write,” smarter tab suggestions, on-device scam detection, and page summarization. The download triggers automatically for devices meeting minimum hardware requirements, and Chrome often replaces the files if deleted.
While the model processes data locally, installation happens in the background with minimal notification.
The scale is noteworthy. Hundreds of millions or billions of installations add up to thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions globally from data transfer, even though each is a one-time event.
To prevent or remove it, go to chrome://flags, disable the entries for the optimization guide on-device model and Prompt API, restart the browser, and manually delete the folder.
just finished putting together all essential elements of the NA website ^_>^ sooo ... this is the official site launch. yippie! 🫲 https://t.co/kXP8TbvWvF 🫱
barely even tried with the drug trafficking lie now they're fully bombing venezuela and we all know it's over oil. all this fucking country does is bomb kill steal and lie
Israel has singlehandedly desensitized Western audiences to extrajudicial murder. In the past 24 hours, the US has killed 14 people *today* in their murderous campaign on fishing vessels. Just low enough to not raise rage, just like Israel does daily.
https://t.co/8klVnZyjOp
Be aware, when cops retreat, they are REGROUPING, so you better be regrouping as well, anticipating and planning for next moves. (Also celebrate a little. Morale is extremely important.)