I think this comment should be pinned honestly.

VPNs are not required. Instead of egressing on your ISPs network, you’re egressing on someone else’s network. It’s kinda like paying for a second ISP so you can egress your ISP to go encrypted to your other ISP. What does it accomplish other than putting you in another law jurisdiction?

I…what?

How am I paying for another person’s ISP when I’m mooching off of their network to pirate from?

Okay, so the two examples you’ve provided about those VPN services, have nothing to do at all about piracy. One is about cyberstalking and the other was about a child abuse investigation. Those are arguably more serious than piracy in comparison.

At that point do you think you’ll get some form of compensation from the VPN provider?

The fuck are you on?