Safer Internet Day 2026: A New Focus on AI Safety
Safer Internet Day this year spotlights the "safe and responsible use of AI" amid growing concerns over data harvesting, AI‑driven scams and deepfakes. The event underscores the need for robust ethical frameworks as generative AI becomes mainstream.
Proton’s Lumo: An Open‑Source, Privacy‑First AI Assistant
Proton, known for its privacy‑centric services since 2014, launched Lumo in July 2025. Lumo offers ChatGPT‑like capabilities while keeping every conversation encrypted with zero‑access encryption, meaning user data never trains the model or is sold to third parties.
- Available via web browser, Android and iOS apps.
- Zero‑knowledge architecture guarantees confidentiality.
- Built on Proton’s existing security ecosystem.
ExpressVPN Introduces ExpressAI
ExpressVPN’s new "private‑by‑design" platform, ExpressAI, mirrors Lumo’s privacy stance. It employs end‑to‑end encryption and a disappearing‑messages feature that auto‑deletes chats after a user‑defined period. The service is bundled with all ExpressVPN plans.
- No user files stored on ExpressVPN servers.
- Zero‑knowledge encryption ensures conversations are unreadable to anyone.
- Seamless integration with existing VPN subscriptions.
NordVPN’s Defensive Approach to AI Threats
Rather than releasing its own chatbot, NordVPN focuses on protecting users from emerging AI risks, especially those linked to the open‑source agent OpenClaw.
- Meshnet creates direct, encrypted device‑to‑device links, letting users run a self‑hosted OpenClaw instance securely.
- Threat Protection Pro suite now scans email links, blocks spam calls, monitors crypto scams, and combats session hijacking.
- 2026 roadmap includes deepfake detection and manipulated‑content identification tools.
What Users Should Do in an AI‑Driven World
Strong passwords are no longer enough. Users need a comprehensive security suite that combines VPN protection, encrypted AI assistants and real‑time threat detection. Leveraging privacy‑first tools from Proton, ExpressVPN or NordVPN can help navigate the evolving landscape of AI‑enabled threats.