Lumo: Proton’s Open-Source, Privacy-First AI Chatbot

Proton, the Swiss-based company behind secure apps like Proton VPN, Proton Mail, and Proton Pass, has officially entered the AI race with Lumo — a privacy-first generative AI chatbot. Billed as a safer, more encrypted alternative to mainstream bots like ChatGPT, Lumo is available for free, with a premium tier (Lumo Plus) for power users.

Why Lumo Stands Out: Privacy by Design

Lumo’s defining feature is its strict stance on user data privacy:

• Conversations are not used to train the model.
• Messages are stored using zero-access encryption — only decryptable on your device.
• No web search by default, but users can opt-in using privacy-respecting search engines.
• Swiss jurisdiction offers protection outside major global data-sharing alliances like Five, Nine, and 14 Eyes.

According to Proton, Lumo provides “AI that puts people ahead of profits,” emphasizing user protection over data monetization.

Lumo Plus: Features and Pricing

While the base version of Lumo is free, Lumo Plus offers additional perks:

• Unlimited chats and chat favorites
• Extended conversation history
• Ability to upload large and multiple files
• Integration with Proton Drive for file analysis
• Available via web, Android, and iOS

Pricing:

• $13/month
• $120/year (annual plan)

Users must log in with a Proton account to access stored chats, which are still encrypted.

What You Can Do with Lumo

Like other AI chatbots, Lumo supports a wide range of tasks:

• Drafting and editing emails
• Code writing and debugging
• Summarizing documents and PDFs
• Creating travel itineraries or answering general knowledge questions
• File-based analysis (e.g., uploading meeting notes or reports)

However, unlike ChatGPT or Gemini, Lumo is more conservative in accessing real-time web data — a trade-off for increased privacy.

Swiss Laws and Why They Matter

Being based in Switzerland gives Proton an edge in user trust. The country’s strict privacy laws mean that Proton is not subject to surveillance mandates like companies based in the U.S. or EU.

This makes Lumo potentially attractive for:

• Investigative journalists
• Political activists
• Asylum seekers
• Anyone concerned about government surveillance or corporate data tracking

Trust, Open Source, and Transparency

While Proton has a strong privacy reputation, users still need to take a trust leap with Lumo — as with any AI service. However, the company enhances credibility through:

• Open-source code for transparency
• Annual audits (as done with Proton VPN)
• Transparency reports and public disclosures

Lumo’s codebase, like the rest of Proton’s suite (Mail, Drive, Calendar, etc.), is openly available for inspection.

“AI should not become the world’s most powerful surveillance tool,” said Proton CEO Andy Yen. “Lumo was created to be an ethical, privacy-focused alternative.”

Final Thoughts

Lumo isn’t trying to compete with ChatGPT on scale or speed — it’s designed for users who prioritize privacy, transparency, and security. Backed by a trusted company with a long history of privacy-first innovation, Lumo might be the right choice for those seeking a trustworthy AI assistant in a world dominated by data-hungry tech giants.

Read: Meta Acquires Play AI to Power Natural Voice Creation in AI Products