[cj]

Does the API trigger the download automatically, or does it ask for user permission?

(Answered my own question): Doesn't look like it requires the user's permission. Upon first use, the model will start downloading. The user has to wait for the download to finish before the API will work. That could take hours for 22gb.

I presume this can't work on mobile?

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Translator_...

[ameliaquining]

The article indicates that it will only download the model over an unmetered connection, e.g., while the phone is connected to wifi.

[djhn]

Seems very backwards for markets where wired/wifi connections at home are nonexistant, 4g/5g is already unmetered and phones are the wifi you connect your devices to.

[ameliaquining]

If you have an unlimited data plan then Android counts that as an unmetered connection and Chrome will download the model over it.