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

Proton, known for its commitment to user privacy, has announced a significant upgrade to its AI chatbot, Lumo, originally launched last year. The latest version, Lumo 2.0, introduces a suite of advanced features, including image recognition and generation capabilities. Users can now upload images for analysis or editing, expanding the chatbot's functionality beyond text-based interactions. In addition to its enhanced image capabilities, Lumo 2.0 improves the Projects feature, which integrates with Proton's suite of productivity tools such as email and cloud storage. This update allows Lumo to maintain a user-controlled persistent memory, enabling it to remember individual preferences across different sessions. According to Proton, the enhancements make Lumo 2.0 significantly more powerful, with response times up to 76 percent faster than its predecessor. The new version also introduces a “thinking mode” designed for tackling more complex inquiries. Andy Yen, Founder and CEO of Proton, emphasized the overhaul, stating, “Lumo 2.0 has been re-engineered from the ground up, and the introduction of thinking mode gives it powerful new capabilities.” He reassured users that they no longer have to compromise between advanced AI functions and robust privacy measures. While Lumo 2.0's capabilities align closely with other leading chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT, it sets itself apart with its strong privacy protections. Proton employs a zero-access encryption architecture, ensuring that user data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, providing exclusive access to the user. Furthermore, the company asserts that it does not retain any server-side logs of conversations, ensuring that no one at Proton can access users’ dialogue. Notably, Proton pledges never to utilize customer data for AI training or share it with third parties. Lumo 2.0 is now available to the public, alongside paid tiers (Plus and Professional) that offer users enhanced access and features.