Lumo: The Privacy-First AI Assistant

Artificial intelligence holds immense potential to address challenges, ranging from everyday tasks like scheduling to complex endeavors like molecular modeling. However, to truly enhance our lives and work positively, we need an AI assistant developed responsibly, prioritizing people and privacy above all .

Currently, many technology giants are repeating past mistakes. Instead of designing AI to serve individuals, they often turn users into products, leveraging AI to accelerate a surveillance-capitalism model based on advertising, data harvesting, and exploitation. The advantages of AI are too significant to ignore, yet the associated risks are too serious to overlook. AI is here to stay, but the current iterations often reflect a failure to learn from history. This is why Lumo was created – a private AI assistant dedicated to working for you, not the other way around .

Lumo ensures your conversations remain confidential and your data stays fully under your control – never shared, sold, or stolen . Whether you’re summarizing sensitive documents, asking private health questions, or rewriting personal emails, Lumo assists without demanding your personal data in return . It’s part of the Proton privacy ecosystem, trusted by over 100 million people globally . Because privacy should be accessible to everyone, anyone can start using Lumo today for free, without needing an account .

Why Privacy is Crucial for AI

AI opens doors to new opportunities but also introduces new forms of data collection. Hundreds of millions of people interact with AI tools daily, often unknowingly sharing sensitive information far more intimate than traditional search or browsing history . Businesses also risk exposing their confidential information. Furthermore, the choices for generative AI have been limited, often forcing users to rely on companies based in the US or China.

Lumo aims to change this landscape . As with all Proton services, Lumo is built around the core principles of privacy, security, and transparency . Unlike many companies, Proton doesn’t generate revenue by selling user data. Proton is supported by its community, not advertisers, and its base in privacy-friendly Europe provides legal protections to uphold its commitments . Crucially, Proton is owned by the nonprofit Proton Foundation, whose sole mission is to advance privacy and freedom .

By using Lumo, you can leverage the power of an advanced AI assistant without the risk of your data being misused .

How Lumo Protects Your Privacy

Privacy forms the fundamental framework for Lumo’s design, reimagining the architecture of an AI assistant from the ground up . Here’s how it works in practice:

No Logs Policy

Many AI companies retain records of all your conversations on their servers, making this information vulnerable to data leaks or exploitation for profit . Lumo adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t keep any server-side logs of your conversations . Any chats you choose to save are encrypted in such a way that they can only be decrypted on your own device .

Zero-Access Encryption

Your chats are stored using Proton’s proven zero-access encryption technology . This means that even Proton cannot read your saved chats, similar to other Proton services like Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass . This encryption is open source and trusted by millions to secure their data . With zero-access encryption, your messages are encrypted before they leave your device, and the encryption keys remain local – only you hold them . The provider has no way to decrypt or read your data . This ensures that the content of your chats is always stored in a way that the service provider can never access .

No Data Sharing

Major tech companies frequently share user data with third-party vendors, advertisers, and sometimes government agencies for surveillance purposes . Lumo’s architecture, based on its no-logs policy and encryption, ensures that Proton doesn’t possess data to share in the first place . Additionally, being based in Europe provides robust privacy protections, placing it outside the jurisdiction of laws like those enabling warrantless surveillance in the US .

Not Used for AI Training

Unlike other AI services, Lumo does not utilize your conversations or inputs to train its underlying large language model . When data is used for training, your personal information could inadvertently be used to generate responses for other users’ conversations . Lumo eliminates this risk entirely, which is particularly crucial for businesses handling confidential material .

Open and Transparent

Lumo is built upon open-source language models and operates from Proton’s European data centers . This provides significantly greater transparency into how Lumo functions compared to many other major AI assistants . Your queries are never sent to third parties like OpenAI or other American or Chinese AI companies . Proton’s research and development remain focused on open models, which they will continuously improve .

Feature	Lumo Protection
Conversation Logs	No logs are kept on Proton’s servers.
Data Access	Uses zero-access encryption; Proton cannot read your chats.
Data Sharing	No data is shared with third parties or advertisers.
AI Training	Your conversations are never used to train the AI model.
Transparency	Based on open-source models and operates in Europe.

Comparing Lumo’s privacy features with other AI assistants .

Productivity Features Designed with Privacy in Mind

Lumo delivers the advantages of AI without compromising your personal data . Unique features are integrated to ensure you maintain control over your information .

Ghost Mode

When logged into Lumo, your conversations are typically saved with end-to-end encryption in your chat history . However, you can activate Ghost Mode to ensure your current chat session disappears permanently as soon as you close the application or browser tab . This adds an extra layer of privacy for ephemeral conversations .

Web Search

Lumo can search the web for new or recent information to supplement its existing knowledge base when you request it .

File Uploads

Lumo can understand and analyze files you upload . Crucially, unlike many other AI assistants, Lumo does not retain any record of the data you share through file uploads . This allows you to work on sensitive documents with greater peace of mind.

Proton Drive Integration

If you use Proton Drive, you can easily add your end-to-end encrypted files directly from your Drive storage into your conversations with Lumo .

Getting Started with Lumo

You can begin using Lumo today for free, even without a Proton Account . Simply visit lumo.proton.me and start typing your query, or download the Lumo app for Android or iPhone .

If you have a Proton Account and log in, you gain the ability to save your chat history . This history is stored using zero-access encryption and is accessible across your devices – but only on devices where you are logged in . Your chat history remains private and can only be read by you .

Lumo is also available as a mobile application for Android and iOS devices, making it convenient for quick chats on the go . Download the app to your phone or tablet and start chatting immediately . If you log in, your secure chat history will sync with the app .

For users requiring more frequent access, an upgrade option, Lumo Plus, is available, offering premium features and unlimited queries .

Building a Sovereign European Technology Stack (EuroStack)

Lumo represents one of Proton’s significant investments aimed at ensuring Europe maintains strength, independence, and technological sovereignty in the coming years . Due to legal uncertainties surrounding certain Swiss government proposals for mass surveillance (proposals that have been outlawed in the EU), Proton is relocating most of its physical infrastructure out of Switzerland . Lumo will be the first Proton product to complete this migration .

This strategic shift signifies an investment exceeding €100 million into the EU . While Proton continues advocating for privacy in Switzerland, it is also embracing Europe and contributing to the development of a sovereign EuroStack for the future of the continent . Lumo is proudly European and is designed to serve anyone worldwide who values privacy and security .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Lumo AI?

Lumo is a privacy-first AI assistant developed by Proton . It is designed to keep your conversations confidential and your data under your control, ensuring it is never shared, sold, or stolen .

How is Lumo different from other AI assistants?

Lumo’s primary distinction is its unwavering commitment to privacy . It doesn’t log conversations, doesn’t share data, doesn’t use your chats to train its AI, and employs zero-access encryption for saved chats . It’s built on open-source models and operates in Europe, offering greater transparency .

Is Lumo really free to use?

Yes, Lumo offers a free tier that anyone can use without creating an account .

Do I need a Proton account to use Lumo?

No, you can start using Lumo immediately by visiting the website or downloading the app without needing a Proton account . However, logging in with a Proton account allows you to save your chat history securely .

How does Lumo ensure my conversations are private?

Lumo implements several measures: a strict no-logs policy, zero-access encryption for saved chats, no data sharing with third parties, and a guarantee that your data isn’t used to train the AI model .

Can I upload files to Lumo?

Yes, Lumo supports file uploads for analysis . Importantly, it does not retain copies or records of the files you upload .

Where is Lumo’s data stored?

Lumo operates from Proton’s data centers located in Europe, benefiting from strong European privacy laws like the GDPR .

Is Lumo based on open-source technology?

Yes, Lumo is built upon open-source language models and operates transparently from European data centers .

Can Lumo provide incorrect information?

Like all AI systems, Lumo can sometimes generate inaccurate or misleading information. It’s always wise to verify critical information from independent sources.

On which devices can I use Lumo?

Lumo is accessible via web browsers at lumo.proton.me and through dedicated apps for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets .