# Google Chrome is silently installing a 4GB AI model on users’ devices without consent, a researcher found.

*genai · news · 2026-05-08 · Crypto News*

## Key points

- Google Chrome has been silently installing a 4GB Gemini Nano AI model without user consent.
- The Gemini Nano model reinstalls automatically after deletion on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
- Despite the 'AI Mode' indicator, search queries are routed to Google's servers, not processed locally.
- Google began rolling out an opt-out option in February 2026, but it's not yet available to all users.
- The widespread installation may violate EU privacy laws and generates significant CO2-equivalent emissions.

**Companies:** Google
**Countries:** United States, Belgium

[Read the full story on Crypto News](https://crypto.news/google-chrome-secretly-installs-4gb-ai-model/)

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