[rubysprite]

If they can target us by IP for surveillance pricing etc. then we need VPN as a basic survival tool.

You can’t shop around someone changing prices around you knowing your income etc.

Similarly you cannot meaningfully use social media, Reddit or even HN if your IP is on their lists.

Unfortunately many online organizations have gone to war with their users so we need VPN and other tools to mitigate the abuse.

[jen_h]

This--and also, if you're a US resident traveling abroad, you can't access most health data without a US-based VPN.

Everything's "in the portal" -- you're effectively helpless without a VPN if, for example, a loved one is hospitalized or you need to access to your own data/records. (You can try phone calls, but expect the old, "Well, I can't help you, that's in the portal.")