Introduction
In a world where AI-powered virtual assistants constantly track, log, and mine our conversations, privacy-conscious users are left in limbo. Proton, the Swiss privacy pioneer behind Proton Mail and VPN, has stepped in with a bold alternative—Lumo 1.1. This updated, privacy-first AI assistant delivers significantly enhanced reasoning, context understanding, and coding capabilities while guaranteeing that nobody—not even Proton—can access your personal chats.
What Is Proton Lumo 1.1?
Proton Lumo 1.1 is the latest iteration of Proton’s open-source AI assistant, designed with privacy as a foundational value. The platform is built on models like Mistral Small 3, Nvidia’s OpenHands 32B, OLMO 2 32B, and Nemo, all hosted on Proton-controlled data centers in Germany and Norway.
Users can chat with Lumo via a web interface or mobile apps—no account required for basic use. Free users enjoy encrypted chats, while Lumo Plus subscribers gain access to unlimited usage, enhanced models, file uploads, and priority support.
What’s New in Lumo 1.1: Enhanced Performance, Zero-Access Privacy
Proton’s 1.1 upgrade brings substantial improvements:
- Reasoning: Over 200% improvement in handling complex, multi-step problems.
- Context Understanding: 170% better at grasping nuanced requests.
- Coding: 40% stronger in generating accurate code.
These boosts translate into smarter planning, better research, and faster, more reliable responses.
The Privacy Advantage: No Logs, Zero Access, Open Source
No Logs & Zero-Access Encryption
Lumo encrypts all chat histories so only the user’s device can decrypt them—not even Proton can access your conversations. The platform stores no server-side records and never trains AI models on user inputs.
Publicly Verifiable Code
Both the web and mobile app code, along with Lumo’s security model, are open source, allowing anyone to audit them. This transparency sets Lumo apart as a truly privacy-first AI assistant.
Comparing Lumo 1.1: Performance Meets Privacy
| Feature | Lumo 1.0 (Initial) | Lumo 1.1 (New) |
| Reasoning | Baseline performance | 200% improvement on complex tasks |
| Context Understanding | Limited nuance | 170% enhancement in comprehension |
| Coding Accuracy | Basic code generation | 40% boost in correctness |
| Privacy Model | Zero-logging, encrypted chats | Maintained encryption with open source mobile app code |
| Models Used | Unspecified | Mistral Small 3, Nemo, OLMO 2 32B, OpenHands |
Use Cases: Practical, Secure, and Powerful
Enhanced Task Management
Lumo 1.1 excels at structured tasks—project planning, multi-step instructions, deep research queries—thanks to its improved reasoning.
Smarter Code Assistance
Developers benefit from cleaner code outputs and better alignment with prompts, minimizing corrections and debugging.
Private Conversations & Document Analysis
Need to discuss sensitive topics or analyze legal files? Lumo ensures confidentiality. Proton’s integration with encrypted file-sharing (like Proton Drive) keeps data secure while tasking Lumo with safe analysis.
Everyday Help—Securely
Lumo can answer questions, plan trips, translate languages, or polish emails—all without privacy trade-offs. A recent LifeWire feature emphasizes that every interaction is private and not used for AI training.
Getting Started: Free vs Lumo Plus
Free Plan
- Accessible without signup (as a guest)
- Up to ~100 chats weekly for logged-in users
- Basic chat history with encrypted search, favorites, and ghost mode
Lumo Plus
- $12.99/month or $119.98/year
- Unlimited chats and usage
- Encrypted full chat history, file uploads, advanced AI models, and priority support
Expert & Community Impressions
Expert Insight
Paul Thurrott applauds Lumo 1.1’s performance jump and open-source transparency, highlighting its privacy-first model and the use of European data infrastructure.
Privacy Press Coverage
TechRadar and The Verge herald Lumo as a rare fusion of privacy with AI power. Proton’s CEO framed Lumo as an intentional counter to AI’s surveillance risks, offering a European alternative to U.S. and Chinese models.
Community Feedback
Reddit users find Lumo well-suited for privacy-sensitive tasks like coding, language learning, and personal research. One user praised Lumo’s better responses for allergy-friendly recipes and trivia performance; others enjoy its low-data-risk design. Critiques focus on early performance and speed—common in a first-gen product.
Final Thoughts: Redefining AI with Privacy
Proton Lumo 1.1 isn’t just another chatbot—it’s a bold privacy-first statement in the AI landscape. With performance that matches—or approaches—Big Tech offerings, and a design that champions your data rights, Lumo is an essential tool for users who demand both power and protection.
Whether you’re a developer, a privacy-conscious professional, or someone seeking a trustworthy AI companion, Lumo 1.1 shows that you don’t have to choose between confidentiality and capability.
FAQs
What is Lumo 1.1?
A more capable privacy-centric AI assistant with significant boosts in reasoning, context, and coding ability.
Is it truly private?
Yes. Lumo employs zero-access encryption, stores no logs, and runs on open-source code. Proton cannot view your chats.
What models power Lumo?
Open-source LLMs like Mistral Small 3, Nemo, OLMO 2 32B, OpenHands 32B.
Can I use it without an account?
Yes, as a guest, but with limited usage. A Proton account unlocks chat history access.
What does Lumo Plus offer?
Unlimited usage, enhanced models, file uploads, chat history, and priority support—for $12.99/month.
Where is Lumo hosted?
Data centers in Germany and Norway, ensuring European-level privacy protections.