They’re part of multiple mutual defense treaties, including just being part of the EU. If Russia continues to be agressive, this could well be required.

Where are you getting free VM hosting?

The comment was in reference to VPN services. Sadly, given theres no right to privacy, you must pay to not be tracked.

i feel like most of your argument is rendered moot with encrypted dns solutions like DoH.

You misunderstand. Large ISPs run their own DNS servers which are preconfigured into the devices they sell. They are the intended recipient and you’d just be encrypting it in transit to their servers.

Another reason to use a VPN is that ISPs have every motive to sell your browsing data and they do. Unlike many other groups tracking you, your ISP inherently has your meatspace name, address, and payment information making their data easily collatable and very valuable.

If you use the default DNS on their provided router they can even tell if someone purchased an XBox, Playstation, or any other smart device just from update and telemetry lookups.

As the article says, by using a VPN youre using someone else’s ISP making that info worthless.

If your threat model includes preventing ad networks from gathering data, a VPN absolutely is a tool to prevent that. Do you have to pay for a service? Probably not if you’re technical enough; a VM in a data center is probably sufficient.

I call dibs on getting rescued by Dennis Quaid.

I just really want to point out that there’s some very dark humor in the UAE’s unsubtle attempts to use COP28 as a PR campaign. Not that almost every other COP wasn’t a complete waste of time, but the ridiculousness truly elevates this to the level of comedy.

I don’t even know if they’re being sarcastic or if they’re just that craven.

Posted by @MrMakabar but here it is as well