Hi Mate,
Regarding VPN, this discussion may help: https://community.e.foundation/t/advanced-privacy-and-protonvpn/46982/9 One of my posts re what helpful OBACHT had advised might give You the essence:
Basically, You have to get rid of ‘hide my ip’ in AP settings on e/OS, you can use kill switch of your own VPN as well.
I hope it helps with this problem.