If VPNs gave you privacy online, they would be illegal.
When you connect to a VPN server, they obviously log your IP address and then there's browser fingerprinting, cookies, etc.
Discussion
If you are an idiot nothing will give you privacy.
VPNs are fine, you can even run your own VPN.
Yes, if you are in the top 1% of hackers and don't engage in very illegal activities, you'll be fine as you're not worth the investment.
I was speaking of those who use commercial VPNs which is probably very close to 100% of the people using VPNs.
If one does not put the effort in to learn, when they should, or shut up when they don't have the capacity. Then what do we care.