How Can You Easily Block Chrome’s New AI APIs for Better Privacy?

Should You Disable Google Chrome’s AI Features for Safer Browsing?

Google Chrome version 138 and newer now includes three built-in AI-powered web APIs: Language Detector API, Summarizer API, and Translator API. These tools help websites detect language, summarize text, and translate content directly on your device. While these features offer convenience, you may worry about privacy or simply prefer not to use them. Here’s a clear guide to understanding these APIs and how you can turn them off for a more private browsing experience.

What Are Chrome’s New AI APIs?

Language Detector API

This tool lets websites find out which language is used in your input or on a webpage. It works right in your browser, so the detection happens locally.

Summarizer API

This feature can take a block of text and give you a short summary. It uses a built-in language model, so websites don’t need to send your data to outside servers.

Translator API

This API allows websites to translate text into different languages, again using your device instead of sending data elsewhere.

These APIs are designed to run on your device, which can help with privacy and speed. However, not everyone wants websites to access these tools, especially if you’re concerned about how your data is used.

Why You Might Want to Disable These APIs

• You value privacy and want to control what features websites can use.
• You don’t want websites to process your data, even locally.
• You prefer to keep your browser as simple as possible.

How to Disable Chrome’s AI APIs Using Flags

You can turn off these APIs using Chrome’s hidden settings, called “flags.” Here’s how:

1. Open Chrome and type chrome://flags/ in the address bar. Press Enter.
2. In the search box at the top, type the following terms one by one:
   • Language detection web platform API
   • Summarization API for Gemini Nano
   • Experimental translation API
3. For each option, select “Disabled” from the drop-down menu.
4. Click the “Relaunch now” button that appears to restart Chrome.

After restarting, these AI features will be turned off.

Quick Reference: Flags to Disable

Language detection web platform API
(#language-detection-api)

Summarization API for Gemini Nano
(#summarization-api-for-gemini-nano)

Experimental translation API
(#translation-api)

How to Block All AI APIs Using Windows Registry

If you want to make sure these APIs—and any future ones—stay off, you can use a Windows policy setting. This is a more advanced step, but it gives you full control.

Steps to Set the Policy

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter.
2. Go to one of these paths, depending on whether you want to affect all users or just yourself:
   For all users:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies

   For your user only:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies

3. Under “Policies,” create a new key called Google.
4. Inside Google, create another key called Chrome.
5. Select the Chrome key. In the right pane, right-click and choose “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.”
6. Name the new value: GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings
7. Set its value to 1 to block the AI APIs.
8. Restart Chrome.

If you want to turn the APIs back on later, either delete the DWORD or set its value to 0.

Note

After setting this policy, you might see a message in Chrome saying, “Your browser is managed by your organization.” This is normal and just means a policy is active.

Turning off Chrome’s new AI APIs is simple and helps you keep your browsing experience private. Use the flags for a quick fix or the registry method for a more permanent solution. This way, you decide what features your browser uses, giving you peace of mind and a sense of control over your digital life.