The article discusses the stealth installation of a 4GB AI model called Gemini Nano on desktop computers using Google Chrome. According to security researcher Alexander Hanff, this model may have been automatically downloaded onto devices without user consent, creating privacy concerns and potential legal issues under European data laws. Gemini Nano performs tasks like detecting fraudulent calls and composing text messages but is installed only if the hardware is compatible.
Users won’t know if it’s on their device unless they search for it. Google stated that Gemini Nano will uninstall itself if the required resources are unavailable. They have introduced features allowing users to disable or delete the AI model via Chrome settings.
To check for and remove Gemini Nano:
- For Mac: Access the Library to check for the model and adjust Chrome settings to disable it.
- For Windows: Use the run command or File Explorer to locate the model and follow specific steps in Chrome settings to turn it off and delete local files.
Hanff raised concerns that Google’s method of installation might violate GDPR principles, emphasizing the need for transparency and trust, especially given Google’s history of privacy violations.
