Privacy is a tricky word in the modern tech space, mostly because it's often promised but rarely delivered. That’s what caught my eye when Internxt AI, a newcomer from Spain, made its way into the crowded world of conversational artificial intelligence. As someone who built her career around grassroots projects that emphasize strong values like community and transparency, I immediately wanted to understand what “total user anonymity” actually meant here, beyond the marketing slogan.
For many European startups, earning the trust of your users is a slow, steady climb. Internxt seems to have cracked one piece of that puzzle by refusing to compromise on privacy. Their AI doesn’t track your interactions, store your prompts, or use your queries to make better models. Instead, users interact under complete anonymity, just as Internxt advertises. And knowing how data-hungry competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT can be, this felt like a deliberate step away from what we’re used to seeing.
What Internxt AI Promises
Let’s break down what Internxt is offering with this debut. Fran Villalba Segarra, the company’s founder, described it as “the future of European AI,” specifically because it puts privacy above profit. I dug further into their claims, and here's how the numbers and features stack up:
- End-to-End Encryption: Your data stays yours, not stored, shared, or reused. This is built using their zero-knowledge architecture, meaning even Internxt can’t access your conversations.
- GDPR-Compliant and Beyond: European regulations are strict, but Internxt doesn’t just comply, they seem to be anticipating future rules like the EU AI Act.
- Post-Quantum Encryption: Rarely discussed but increasingly important, quantum-ready security measures protect the AI from future-tech vulnerabilities.
- European Hosting: All data stays within EU borders; there’s no silent funnel to outside processes or servers, which helps maintain its position as a safer alternative.
This isn’t just tech rhetoric either. Internxt is already known in Europe for taking privacy-first initiatives seriously, including its encrypted services for file storage and VPNs.
Comparing to ChatGPT
Competitors like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini spend a lot of time refining their usability and features, but everyone knows there’s a catch. Using their services means trusting them with sensitive personal and business data. Whether it’s just your casual interactions or payment details via subscription services, one small misstep in security could, and has in the past, lead to data leaks. For example, OpenAI faced backlash from the Italian watchdog over privacy breaches, and Samsung banned ChatGPT internally after it accidentally exposed sensitive company information.
Internxt raises a critical question here: Why should European users hand over data to entities outside their jurisdiction if there's a safer option closer to home? It’s more than about convenience or features; it’s about aligning those features with the expectations of your users, particularly across startups and business owners who manage sensitive intellectual property.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs
Being an entrepreneur, especially a female one, is often about spotting cracks in big systems and filling them with better solutions. Like Internxt has done with AI, I’ve done something similar in my own field with STEM-focused initiatives. The launch of Internxt AI feels like a strong validation of what I tell women founders: build a product that doesn’t compromise its values just to mimic competitors. Here are some lessons to pick up from their journey:
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Put the Big Idea First: If Internxt had taken shortcuts on privacy to compete more directly with US tech giants, it would lose the unique selling point that European users actually want. As founders, we shouldn’t shy away from building what we believe in, even when conventional tech shortcuts exist.
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Know Your Audience: Internxt clearly understands that its core market resonates with users disconnected from the current “Big Tech” model. Adjusting your pitch to the preferences of specific markets like Europe makes competition secondary.
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Build Trust, Not Short-Term Gains: Privacy isn’t flashy, but it builds serious trust. Think about how committed your audience will feel to your product if they know without a doubt it’s built for them, not despite them.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If Internxt succeeds, it’ll be interesting to see how many startups try to copy this privacy-first approach, only to trip over themselves with misaligned strategies. Here’s what everyone needs to look out for:
- Skipping Real Compliance: Privacy measures that only look good on paper will fail under scrutiny. Internxt sets itself apart by truly adhering to regulations like GDPR, which small businesses often misinterpret or shortcut.
- Not Thinking Long-Term: Quantum-ready encryption might seem irrelevant today, but Internxt is planning for five to ten years ahead. Entrepreneurs shouldn’t keep their timelines too short when establishing disruptive solutions.
- Misunderstanding Ethics: There’s a tendency to focus on a so-called “ethical” image while letting corner-cutting seep into product development. Internxt doesn’t just claim ethical behavior, it backs it up with technical evidence.
How You Can Apply This to Your Business
The single biggest takeaway here is the value of building products your users can trust. For female founders, there’s added pressure to push beyond expectations and create startups that are resilient and future-proof. But don’t get carried away with the pressure to compete on every front. Success doesn’t mean rushing, it means refining your mission and becoming indispensable to your audience.
I’ve personally applied these methodologies in my startup incubator and game-based training tools. If you’re building anything AI-related, whether for business operations or consumer operations, this launch tells us clarity and credibility outweigh whatever flashy integrations you may be imagining. In Internxt’s case, clarity wins in privacy over data collection.
Wrapping It Up
More startups need to take inspiration from Internxt AI’s approach. If you’re hesitant about launching a product right now because of competition from big players, don’t be. Set your focus on one core idea your users care about, like privacy, or transparency, and commit to it as hard as Internxt has.
FAQ
1. What makes Internxt AI different from ChatGPT?
Internxt AI prioritizes privacy by offering end-to-end encryption, zero data collection, and complete anonymity for users. It is GDPR-compliant and hosts all data within the EU. Read more about Internxt AI's privacy commitment
2. Is Internxt AI safe and secure?
Yes, Internxt AI implements post-quantum encryption and zero-knowledge architecture to ensure your conversations are private and future-proof. Learn more about Internxt AI's encryption features
3. Does Internxt AI store user data?
No, Internxt AI does not track, store, or reuse user data. It avoids data-hungry practices found in other AI services like ChatGPT. Discover Internxt AI's data practices
4. How does Internxt AI comply with European regulations?
Internxt AI adheres to GDPR rules and anticipates stricter regulations like the EU AI Act. It hosts all user data exclusively within European borders. Read about Internxt AI's compliance
5. What kind of encryption does Internxt AI use?
Internxt AI utilizes post-quantum encryption, specifically the Kyber 512 algorithm, to protect against future computing vulnerabilities. Learn more about post-quantum encryption at Internxt AI
6. Who founded Internxt AI?
Internxt AI was founded by Fran Villalba Segarra, who envisioned a privacy-first AI as Europe's alternative to ChatGPT. Read an interview with the founder
7. How does Internxt AI differ from Gemini by Google?
While Gemini focuses on features and usability, Internxt AI emphasizes privacy, opting not to collect or centralize user data, unlike most competitors. Explore Internxt AI's advantages
8. Can Internxt AI be used on open-source platforms?
Yes, Internxt AI is open-source and dedicated to transparency while safeguarding user privacy. Discover Internxt AI's open-source initiative
9. Is Internxt AI free to use?
Yes, Internxt AI is free for the public and provides multilingual support, making it accessible to all users. Read more about Internxt AI features
10. What other Internxt products support privacy?
Internxt offers privacy-focused tools such as a VPN, encrypted file storage, and upcoming services like Internxt Mail and Internxt Meet. Explore Internxt's product suite
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
