Bare Browser Offers AI-Free Alternative to Google Chrome
Akshay Bhalla, a former game guides editor for Screen Rant and technology editor at MensXP, has written about his experience ditching Google Chrome for Bare, a Chromium browser that strips away all of Google's AI bloat. According to Bhalla, Google is actively adding new AI features to Chrome, including Gemini, which he finds intrusive and raises privacy-related concerns.
After researching on Reddit, Bhalla found the community-built browser Bare, a de-Googled browser that keeps AI at bay. Bare removes all AI features, tracking, and telemetry while offering more than Chrome ever has on Android. It supports extensions, comes with uBlock Origin pre-installed, allows media playback on the lock screen, and can hand off downloads to apps like 1DM.
Currently in alpha, Bare is available for sideload via its GitHub page, but it's expected to be available on the Play Store and F-Droid soon. When opened, users will notice that Bare has been developed by rebels who aren't fans of Google's AI bloat. The browser doesn't have any AI Stacks or references to ML Kit/AICore.
Despite being in its nascent development stage, Bare packs a punch with additional features missing in Chrome. Users can download media from supported audio/video players by long-pressing on them, and the browser doesn't force landscape orientation when watching videos.