Every free VPN company is going to track and sell your data. That's how they make a return on giving you a free product. If you're wanting to pirate things without worry, just avoid torrents and you'll be fine. HTTP (direct downloads through your browser from site like archive.org) can't be tracked by copyright holders. They're perfectly safe to download from. If you're just looking for some sort of privacy while browsing websites I recommend checking out TOR browser. It offers all of the regular safety precautions anyone would need while simply browsing the internet (aside from common sense).
VPNs don't really help with online safety nowadays. Nearly all websites are encrypted, so you don't have to worry about someone on your WiFi network stealing your data. VPNs are reasonable for getting around location blocks with streaming services (e.g. watching a UK-only show on Netflix while in America), but some streaming services are wisening up. VPNs can be helpful for piracy, but I'm not sure if they are necessary. If you are torrenting, set your client to "require encryption", and disable DHT and all local peer discovery.
I barely trust paid VPNs. I definitely don't trust free ones.
You probably don't need a VPN.
VPNs for torrenting pirated stuff is 100% necessary if you don't want your 'net cut off. AFAIK encryption doesn't get around that.
Depends on the country, but for the US, absolutely.
VPNs
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