Users report mystery 4GB Google file installed on their PCs

Luis

Luis

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Users report mystery 4GB Google file installed on their PCs

Google is silently downloading a 4GB on-device AI model to computers running Google Chrome, allegedly without user consent or the option to decline the download.

Some users reported that the model caused performance issues and could only be temporarily deleted as it quietly redownloads itself in the background.
 
That's nothing! I have a program on my computer called pacman, and when I run it, it downloads any number of gigabytes of files to my PC!

The other day I opened up a program called Steam, and BAM, 150 GB of data downloaded! Can you imagine the gall of a program downloading files it thinks are necessary for the features I wanted?

jokes aside, this privacy lawyer Alexander Hanff sounds like someone seeking attention to be so "concerned" about something so mundane.
 
SilverCode said:
That's nothing! I have a program on my computer called pacman, and when I run it, it downloads any number of gigabytes of files to my PC!

The other day I opened up a program called Steam, and BAM, 150 GB of data downloaded! Can you imagine the gall of a program downloading files it thinks are necessary for the features I wanted?

jokes aside, this privacy lawyer Alexander Hanff sounds like someone seeking attention to be so "concerned" about something so mundane.
Click to expand...
Mundane? It's a browser! A browser should not cost you 4Gb of your space!
 
Google updated its Terms of Service (ToS) in May 2024 to specifically integrate AI-related provisions. Since you are in South Africa, your use of Chrome is governed by the standard Google Terms of Service and the Chrome-specific Service Terms.

Here is how Google justifies this "silent" 2.7GB–4GB download:

1. "Maintaining and Improving Services"
The primary clause Google relies on is their right to "deliver, maintain, and improve" their services. Google views Gemini Nano (the model in your weights.bin file) as a core browser component—much like the PDF viewer or the spell-checker.

The Logic: To provide "modern" features like automatic tab grouping or "Help me write," the browser must have the engine ready. In Google's view, downloading these "weights" is no different from downloading a software update.

2. Generative AI Additional Terms
When you use AI features in Chrome, you are also bound by the Generative AI Additional Terms of Service. These terms state that Google will provide AI capabilities and that these may be "processed on-device."

The Catch: These terms usually focus on how you use the AI (e.g., don't use it for medical advice), rather than explicitly warning you about a multi-gigabyte background download.

3. Privacy Policy vs. Data Storage
From a legal and privacy standpoint, Google actually uses this download as a privacy feature.

Because the weights.bin file is on your hard drive, the AI processing happens locally on your CPU/GPU.

The Terms highlight that "on-device" processing means your prompts aren't necessarily sent to Google's clouds for those specific features.
 
BLG said:
at least Chrome isn't storing peoples passwords in plain text 🤷‍♂️

www.bing.com

Microsoft Edge storing passwords as plain text? Microsoft responds.

A cybersecurity researcher discovered a big potential issue with Edge's password manager.
www.bing.com www.bing.com
Click to expand...
Firefox and Brave are pretty damn good. Firefox can however, with its ultra powerful ad blocker and popular add ons, really break a few websites. FNB banking is one of them. FF add ons, often a combo set, effectively DESTROYS youtube ads and about 90% of ads on other sites not controlled by Admiral. FF breaks the ad-supported Disney+ sub. Disney+ has a hook that asks if the ads played to the end before loading the next episode. So, lol, it's a chore! Flipped to Edge and its all smooth sailing. Prime is much smater, even ads are content, so it bypasses the ad blocker, and rightly so, we pay for the ad supported version.
 
SilverCode said:
That's nothing! I have a program on my computer called pacman, and when I run it, it downloads any number of gigabytes of files to my PC!

The other day I opened up a program called Steam, and BAM, 150 GB of data downloaded! Can you imagine the gall of a program downloading files it thinks are necessary for the features I wanted?
Click to expand...

I have the same ones! Except my pacman is wrapped in paru.

In both cases, though, (pacman/paru and Steam) they only download when and what I tell them to, and both have the decency to tell me how big the download is they are about to fetch.
 
Someone using their phone as a hotspot may get a R2k surprise from some networks.

This will apparently also impact ChromeOS Flex if the hardware is deemed to be sufficient.
 
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