NordVPN Counting as Hotspot Data?

Uhles wrote:

I have been experiencing the exact same issue. On an S23 with an esim I got an alert that my hotspot data was 100 % used. I haven't had my hotspot on at all but the VPN was turned on. I contacted Nord VPN about this once before and they refused to acknowledge the problem. If anyone has a solution please reply. ¡Gracias!

I contacted T-mobile via online chat support.  The representative was not helpful.  She repeatedly stated that the only possible way hotspot data could be used is if an external device was connected.  I tried to explain that it appears to be a known issue with VPN use on the handset itself, but this went completely over her head; she didn't even know what a VPN is.  After pressing the issue, she claimed that she was escalating the matter for further review and that I would receive a callback within 48 hours.  That was five days ago.  Needless to say, between the lack of responsiveness on this forum and the lack of follow-up from T-Mo, I'm left screwed out of my hotspot data allowance, an inability to use a VPN on the T-mo network, and of course the delightful announcement that my plan cost is going up on six lines despite the pledge that rates would never increase.

As a legacy Sprint customer since 1998 who got pulled to T-mo through the merger, I knew it would be bad news, and this is only the latest example of how T-mo sucks.  Screw the Tuesday perks crap.  Take what you're spending on that fluff and put it toward customer service that works.