That makes sense, too. Bad news for criminals and terrorists, but I guess also bad news for political dissidents from totalitarian countries.
I’ve never used a VPN and never felt the need to, but sometimes use one of those free proxies when I want to read an NYT or WaPo article. No way am I financially supporting either of those lefty publications.
Proxys to read stuff is just fine. You’re not trying to hide from bad guys, just get around paywalls and what will probably be lots of spam if you don’t.
A simple method of living is just remember anything on the Internet is always traceable to you, and anything you text or say on the phone is recorded. Heck, even the postal mail is snooped on.
So, sensitive stuff needs to only be said in person.