Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers • Hacker News Board

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#41

Post by AlecSchueler » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:15 PM UTC

SecretDreams wrote: post #26

newsoftheday wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My theory is that, since I'm going to do things like banking in my browser, I want one that has a lot of skin in the game. Chrome being backed by Google has trillions of dollars on the line should they ever do anything truly evil. Though this sneaky 4GB download comes close.

There's no skin in the game if they do not think they'll be meaningfully punished by government or consumers for their wrongdoings.

And they have trillions riding on milking you for all your data and ad impressions.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#42

Post by Zambyte » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:20 PM UTC

shevy-java wrote: post #30

What we learn: we can not trust Google.

Everything made by Google is a liability.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#43

Post by maxloh » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #11

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

I find Brave's UI uglier than Chrome's.

Unfortunately, there is no way to switch back to the stock Chromium look.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#44

Post by Fairburn » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:27 PM UTC

Use anything BUT Chrome or Edge.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#45

Post by arian_ » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:28 PM UTC

"on-device" is doing a lot of heavy lifting when the device is a thin client to Google's servers wearing a trench coat.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#46

Post by sheept » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:30 PM UTC

ScoobleDoodle wrote: post #12

For someone with more knowledge than me: How does this affect other Chromium based browsers? I did some web searches and see Brave has its own AI thing “Leo” that is intended to preserve privacy. But I don’t think that is on device. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I use Firefox myself but have family and friends who use various Chromium based browsers. Thank you.

My guess is that this falls under a Google service and the models themselves wouldn't be added to open source Chromium. Even if it were, Chromium forks would likely exclude it like they did for FLoC because of its unpopularity.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#47

Post by skocznymroczny » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:30 PM UTC

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #11

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

I switched to Firefox when Chrome started messing with the ad blockers. Haven't really had any issues. I prefer developer tools on Chrome but I rarely need to use them anyway.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#48

Post by fg137 » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:31 PM UTC

vehemenz wrote: post #35

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #11

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

Ok, why Brave though? There's Safari, Chromium, LibreWolf, Ladybird, and plenty of others.

Not everyone is on Mac. In fact, most people use Windows. So Safari and Ladybird are out of the question, that's two gone.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#49

Post by e40 » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

amatecha wrote: post #27

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #11

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

I'm just surprised people use Chrome at all. Google has proven over and over they can't be trusted and will exploit you every chance they get.

Because some things only work in Chrome. It's a fact. It's terrible.

We're the frogs being boiled, over the last decade. People sounded the alarms, but they were looked at like they had tin foil on their heads. Now, it's clear they were right.

I'm speaking generally, of course. I use Firefox for all my personal stuff, except for those situations where it doesn't work.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#50

Post by [deleted] » Thu, May 07, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC

plopz wrote: post #24

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #11

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

Brave started off incredibly sketchy and with terrible reputation, for example https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18734999 I haven't ever considered it since and I assume many others are in the same boat.

[deleted]