Lumo: Proton’s AI Chatbot, Guaranteed Privacy and Ethics

Proton, known for its secure services (email, cloud, VPN), launches Lumo, a privacy-respecting AI chatbot, without advertising or data collection. An ethical alternative to ChatGPT.

Unlike other chatbots, Lumo prioritizes confidentiality. Conversations are end-to-end encrypted and are neither stored nor resold. Proton doesn’t even have access. Lumo relies on open-source models: Nemo (Mistral), OpenHands 32B (Nvidia), OLMO 2 32B (Allen Institute for AI) and Mistral Small 3, all hosted on European servers.

This choice of open source guarantees transparency and security, unlike opaque proprietary models. Hosting in Europe strengthens data protection, subject to the GDPR, a major asset against American giants.

Proton’s commitment to privacy is consistent with its other services. The Swiss company is recognized for its respect for user data, a key argument in a context of increased surveillance.

🚀 Pro Tip: Open source allows you to verify the code and ensure the absence of hidden mechanisms.

Lumo is accessible for free via browser and iOS app, without advertising or account creation. The Lumo Plus offer (€13/month or €120/year) offers an enriched history with a search engine, acceptance of large files, access to more powerful models and unlimited sessions.

The absence of advertising is a strong choice, prioritizing user experience over aggressive monetization. Accountless access facilitates use, while respecting anonymity.

Despite its advantages, Lumo does not yet generate images and Lumo Plus is not included in Proton Unlimited, requiring a separate subscription. A point to improve for a more complete offer.

🚀 Pro Tip: Test Lumo for free before opting for the Plus version.

During initial tests, Lumo proved effective for writing assistance, text summaries, and general questions. It remains to be seen how it will evolve in the face of intensive use and more complex queries.

The lack of image generation is a handicap compared to the competition. The evolution of Lumo and the integration of new features will be crucial for its success.

Lumo’s ethical positioning and confidentiality will appeal to users concerned about their data. The future will tell if this approach is viable against the giants of the sector.

🚀 Pro Tip: Choose the Lumo version that suits your needs and budget.