Discover Proton’s New AI Chatbot: Your Ultimate Privacy-Focused Assistant!

Proton, known for its secure email service Proton Mail, has introduced an AI chatbot called Lumo. This tool aims to prioritize user privacy while offering features like document summarization, code generation, and email writing.

Lumo stands out because it stores data locally on users’ devices. Proton employs “zero-access” encryption, meaning only users can see their information. This prevents Proton or anyone else from accessing or selling user data. The goal is clear: to avoid the common pitfalls of big tech companies that often trade user privacy for profits. Andy Yen, Proton’s CEO, puts it bluntly, saying that many in tech are using AI to gather sensitive data, turning it into “surveillance capitalism.”

While Lumo can search the web, this feature is off by default to maximize privacy. If users decide to enable it, Lumo utilizes “privacy-friendly” search engines. Additionally, files uploaded to Lumo remain encrypted, even during analyses. Users can easily integrate their Proton Drive files with the chatbot for smooth interactions.

The AI behind Lumo is built on various open-source models hosted in Europe. This includes powerful models like Mistral’s Nemo and Nvidia’s OpenHands, which specifically handles programming-related questions. Betsy Jones, a spokesperson for Proton, emphasized that the chatbot switches between models based on the task at hand.

Right now, users can access Lumo at lumo.proton.me or through its app on iOS and Android. Those without a Proton account can only ask a few questions each week and won’t see chat histories. However, free account holders can access an encrypted chat history and share files, while a premium plan at $12.99 a month unlocks extra features like unlimited chats and the ability to upload larger files.

Proton’s initiative is a response to the growing demand for privacy-first technologies. According to a recent survey, 79% of American adults express concern about their online privacy. As we integrate more AI into our daily lives, solutions like Lumo could redefine user expectations and set new standards for privacy.

For further insights on data privacy and technology trends, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

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