Verdict: a VPN is a tunnel, not an anonymity system
A VPN sends selected network traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN gateway. Websites normally see the gateway’s public IP instead of your home IP. That can be useful, but the destination still receives the traffic after it leaves the gateway and can identify you in other ways.
If you sign in, the service knows which account is active. Cookies and browser storage can persist across IP changes. Device and browser characteristics can contribute to fingerprinting. A payment or recovery email can connect an account to you. None of those identifiers disappears merely because the network route changed.
Why is “untraceable” the wrong test?
An absolute promise ignores the many systems outside the VPN provider’s control: the device, browser, destination, account provider, payment processor and the user. It also hides an important trust shift. The local network sees less of the traffic, but the VPN operator becomes part of the path.
Ask narrower questions instead:
- Which traffic does the app route, and what happens if the tunnel fails?
- What account, payment, connection and diagnostic data does the policy cover?
- Has a named assessor examined the relevant systems, on what date and to what standard?
- What identifiers remain at the services where you log in?
A careful provider can document those boundaries. It cannot guarantee literal anonymity for every user, device, site and legal situation.