Simple web searches will continue to push people to Nord/Surfshark and the like instead of the ones worth using more. But at-least it’s good they’re coming out with this PSA.
If only there was a site that objectively reviewed VPNs and didn’t use affiliate links! Sure would be handy 
Nord is “trusted” by Google Play (blog / mirror).
I must point out though, there’s nothing stopping other VPN apps from going through evals like Nord did (and indeed, their sister firm PIA (Private Internet Access) has done so).
Which if you ask me is an equally tragic thing alongside the OP news. The “privacy and security is a spectrum” thing is a double edged sword because this is where I feel subjectivity in objective evaluation comes in. I don’t know if that makes sense but that’s what it feels like.
Sister firm? I think maybe you meant Surfshark: VPN Relationship Map - Windscribe
The actual VPN map is quite old and does not have updated info so I would not trust everything it mentions. And the same applies to the webpage the map is linked (which you linked).
But yes, it does appear that PIA is not owned by Nord’s parent company.
I saw a video selling a privacy-respectful E-sim card today: https://saily.com/
Then I saw
By the creators of NordVPN
Closed the tab. 
It can work if one is in a pinch. But of course, we need more better options/services.