The only thing I find more suspicous than the sudden global attack on VPNs and privacy is the people trying to hand wave it away as nothing to worry about.
The stasi could only dream of having the tools that are already available today to use.
UK Lords have no actual power and beyond the occasional news story what they say doesn't have any impact.
Technically the lords don't have the same power as an elected second house in other bicameral legislatures, that's correct. They can propose bills and delay bills proposed by the House of Commons, though, and the latter can be enough to kill momentum during some parliaments.
All of them? Or some? Because I’m halfway sure I can find a Congressman who supports almost anything.