News + Trends
Apple's new Siri could get a brain from OpenAI or Anthropic
by Samuel Buchmann
Lumo: Proton's AI won't spy on you
24.7.2025
Translation: machine translated
If your hunger for data has kept you from using an AI so far, then you might like "Lumo" from Proton.
Lumo is an AI chatbot that answers questions like everyone else. However, it is not supposed to spy on its users or use them as training data. Lumo is backed by Proton, an organisation that has long been offering alternatives to data-hungry services.
An AI that doesn't collect your data
In the announcement of Lumo, Proton is convinced that AI can be useful and helpful. However, as it has a massive impact on people's lives, it should also be built responsibly. In the case of Lumo, this means seeing people and the protection of privacy as the most important element.
Lumo can be used both on the web at lumo.proton.me and as an app for Android and iOS. An account or registration is not necessary, but possible.
The AI is designed to explain concepts, give advice, collect ideas or summarise documents. Lumo currently consists of an input field for text. Voice input is only available in the apps via the respective smartphone. However, you can upload files - PDF, Word and Excel formats - for analysis and have Lumo search the internet for new or additional information. The AI chatbot is currently only available in English without a user account. The language can be changed with an account.
The language models used by Lumo are open source. This has the side effect that they are not as large and fast as commercial products from OpenAI, Google and others. However, I am already finding Lumo helpful in initial trials.
Source: Screenshot: Jan Johannsen
Lumo is said to differ from other AI suppliers in that there are no log files. In addition, as with all Proton products, zero-acces encryption is used. This means that not even the supplier can see what you ask the AI. Proton also promises not to share Lumo data with others or use it to train the AI. In addition, the use of open source language models means that there are no partnerships with other AI companies.
Source: Proton
Lumo Plus: How Proton earns money with its AI
However, there are also limits to how Lumo can be used. Proton doesn't say exactly where they are. With Lumo Plus, there is a paid version of the AI that offers unlimited daily chats», for example «. Further advantages of the Plus version are:
- Access to the web search
- Complete chat history with search function
- Unlimited favourites for quick access
- Upload multiple and larger files
- Access to better AI models
- Prioritised support
Lumo Plus costs 12.99 euros or francs per month. If you book the service for a year, you only pay 9.99 per month, which is 23 per cent less.
Proton withdraws hardware from Switzerland
The non-profit Proton Foundation operates Lumo. It is closely associated with the for-profit supplier of Proton Mail and other fee-based cloud services with a focus on privacy protection.
The organisation wants to strengthen the digital future of Europe and is involved in the so-called EuroStack. However, it no longer sees Switzerland as the ideal location. This is due to legislative proposals that facilitate mass surveillance. According to Proton, similar plans have been stopped in the EU for the time being. Accordingly, the organisation has announced that it will remove its physical infrastructure from Switzerland. Lumo is the first outsourced project and a total of over 100 million euros is to be invested in the EU.
Header image: Proton
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
Smartphone
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Computing
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
60 comments
later