Obviously any provider can be a honeypot in theory, but I don't understand the following either: - How can ProtonVPN be free and why is it in Lithuania? - Why

Obviously any provider can be a honeypot in theory, but I don't understand the following either: - How can ProtonVPN be free and why is it in Lithuania? - Why does a Swiss privacy company get EU funding if the EU wants to erode privacy all the time? - Why is a cell phone number required for registration? - In general, how do they make money? Other free providers like gmx are full of cheesy advertisements.