Lumo, Proton's privacy-focused AI chatbot, gets an upgrade

At a glance:

• Lumo 2.0 introduces image recognition, image generation, and 76% faster response times.
• New "thinking mode" enhances complex problem-solving capabilities.
• Zero-access encryption ensures user data remains private with no server-side logging.

Proton has rolled out Lumo 2.0, a significant update to its privacy-centric AI chatbot that expands its functionality while maintaining its core promise of protecting user data. The upgrade, announced on Tuesday, adds image recognition and generation capabilities, allowing users to upload photos and interact with them through the chatbot. This positions Lumo alongside mainstream AI assistants like Gemini and ChatGPT, though Proton emphasizes its unique privacy architecture as a key differentiator.

The update also introduces persistent memory for Projects—a feature that integrates Lumo with Proton’s suite of productivity tools, including email and cloud storage. This allows the chatbot to retain user preferences across conversations, making it more useful for extended workflows. Additionally, the company claims Lumo 2.0 is significantly more efficient, responding to most queries up to 76% faster than the original version.

A new "thinking mode" has been added to handle more complex tasks, offering users a deeper level of reasoning and problem-solving. According to Andy Yen, founder and CEO of Proton, this mode re-engineers the chatbot’s capabilities from the ground up. "Lumo 2.0 demonstrates that users no longer need to choose between powerful AI capabilities and meaningful privacy protections," Yen said.

Despite these advancements, Lumo remains comparable in utility to other major chatbots. It provides detailed answers similar to Gemini and ChatGPT, though it lacks some of the more advanced features found in enterprise-grade models. The focus, however, remains on privacy: Lumo uses zero-access encryption to secure data in transit and at rest, ensuring only the user can access their information. Proton also states it does not log sessions on its servers and will not use customer data for AI training or share it with third parties.

The updated chatbot is now available to all users. Proton offers the free public version alongside paid tiers—Plus and Professional—which provide increased access and resources. While the free version covers basic interactions, the paid options unlock higher usage limits and additional features, catering to power users who need more robust AI assistance.

As privacy concerns continue to grow around AI technologies, Proton’s approach offers a compelling alternative for users wary of data harvesting practices common among larger tech firms. By combining generative AI capabilities with end-to-end encryption, Lumo 2.0 represents a step toward democratizing advanced AI while safeguarding user autonomy.