Mullvad VPN continues to be praised for its unique features like selective traffic routing with SOCKS5 proxies for different browser profiles and an ad-blocking DNS service that enhances user experience, especially on mobile. Users are also interested in the effectiveness of their encrypted DNS proxy and ShadowSocks to maintain privacy, suggesting a broader user base that goes beyond basic VPN functions. Some users express concerns regarding recent performance drops and the persistent issue of sites blocking VPN access. There is also a palpable sense of defeat against widespread surveillance practices, with users highlighting the importance of privacy over mere performance for their VPN usage.