Proton has updated its privacy-first AI assistant Lumo to version 2.0, adding new capabilities that make it a more complete alternative to mainstream chatbots. The service, which launched in 2025, is available on the web, Android, and iOS, and can be used for free without a Proton account.
The new release expands Lumo beyond basic conversation. It now supports image generation, image analysis, web search, stronger memory tools, and a new Thinking mode for deeper reasoning. Proton also introduced Custom Lumos, letting users build specialized assistants for tasks such as editing text or formatting search results.
Privacy remains Lumo's defining feature. Proton says chats are not used to train its AI models, and the platform uses zero-access encryption for stored conversations. The company also emphasizes that human review of chats is not part of the system, while the service runs on open-source AI models and operates independently of third-party partnerships.
In testing, Lumo 2.0 showed faster image creation and more capable research summaries than before, while also narrowing the gap with ChatGPT in everyday use. Although ChatGPT still leads in some advanced tools, Lumo's mix of performance and privacy gives it a distinct position in the AI landscape.
As privacy-aware AI tools continue to mature, platforms like Lumo may help define a future where powerful digital assistants are built with stronger user control at their core.