I stopped using a VPN for privacy once I understood what it actually hides

The concept of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is widely known, even among those without strong technical backgrounds. It's commonly associated with providing enhanced privacy and access to geo-restricted content. This widespread association with online privacy has led many to believe that using a VPN is essential for maintaining their privacy while browsing the internet.

However, a closer examination reveals that the privacy benefits of a VPN are not as straightforward as they may seem. While it's true that a VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted server operated by the VPN provider, masking your actual IP address, it also means that your VPN provider can potentially see some of the information your internet service provider (ISP) would otherwise have access to.

This includes the websites you visit and the data you transfer, despite the fact that your ISP can no longer directly observe the content of your HTTPS-encrypted connections. This means that rather than eliminating the need to trust someone with your internet activity, a VPN simply shifts that trust to the VPN provider. Moreover, the misconception that a VPN provides complete anonymity is further complicated by the fact that websites can still track you even when you're using a VPN.

For instance, if you're signed into a Google account, YouTube can still identify you, as well as other websites that utilize tracking cookies or browser fingerprinting. Even without a VPN, these tracking methods can expose your online activity. It's also worth noting that a VPN provider's no-logs policy does not guarantee a complete lack of visibility into your browsing activity.

The company may still have the capability to see certain information about your connections, even if it doesn't store records of it. This highlights the complexity of maintaining online privacy and the importance of understanding the limitations and potential risks associated with using a VPN.