[oceanplexian]

> I have non-technical friends and relatives that have fully bought into this and when I asked why they use a VPN I got non-specific answers

If you think they sell millions of subscriptions to "prevent identity theft" I have a bridge to sell you.

Your friends and relatives aren't going to tell you that they are using it for p0rn, online dating, to buy taboo things online, etc. That's the main use case for VPN software and that's why people are buying it. Doesn't matter if it works the perception that it works is more than enough.