Element and fluffy chat are probably the best options currently for android. I personally use Element as it reminds me of discord.

I think it depends on the country. In the US, ISPs tend to be fairly strict so using a VPN is necessary (at least with Comcast). After 6-7 DMCAs, I’ve heard of people getting their accounts and service terminated. Best to use one and not take the chance with them. With 3rd world countries, most ISPs don’t care about DMCAs so I can see there not being a need to use one in those situations.

Not a privacy barren wasteland that we seem to be heading towards currently. Governments seem to be taking it into the other direction with how much they are trying to limit digital safeguards. I wouldn’t even be surprised if most places turn into China with regards to censorship levels. The US isn’t too far away either, with legislatures trying to pass bills such as the Restrict Act.