Can we please, please stop using this absolutely deprecated proverb? As shown in YouTube lite, Samsung fridges with ads, cars with telemetry etc. etc. even if you paid, you are still subject to manipulation, spyware, ads and telemetry. It has absolutely nothing to do with payment.

While that’s not untrue, I think one ought to be extra suspicious if you get something of value (eg VPN software that guarantees privacy and security, in this particular case), that cost the operator money but you get it for free.

Perhaps a better proverb would be: there ain’t no free lunch.