Google's Chrome browser has been found to silently install a 4GB AI model, named Gemini Nano, on users' devices without their consent. Privacy researcher Alexander Hanff discovered this during an audit, revealing that the model is downloaded and stored in a folder called OptGuideOnDeviceModel, with no user notifications. This behavior has been confirmed across multiple operating systems, including Windows 11, macOS, and Ubuntu. The Gemini Nano model supports on-device AI features like email assistance and scam detection, but does not participate in Chrome's "AI Mode," which routes queries to Google's cloud servers. Users have reported unexplained storage spikes due to this model, which Chrome automatically reinstalls if deleted. Hanff argues that this practice violates EU privacy laws, citing the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR requirements for user consent. Google has stated that users can disable the model through Chrome settings, but has not addressed the lack of initial consent.