JoS (Joy of Satan, not Jo's) websites are kinda safe, the problem is not external but internal.
Meaning that it depends on your system how much you are spied on, and not on JoS.
The bots on the forums tracking other sites too, but it's partly good because it let's these search engine give results from these websites that they track.
Again the real danger is within your system. If you use Window, google chrome, etc... these are sending your information and activity for them to sell it and diagnose.
If your operation system does not send these information (like almost every Linux distribution), neither your web browser (ungoogled chromium, palemoon, configured firefox,..) and you use a legit vpn like riseup vpn (not "gamer" vpns, and the common known ones), than you are kinda safe, these make you PRIVATE, and linux initself is also SECURE,(becuse there are just a very few malware written for linux) but the aim here for a regular SS who is not in threat of cyber attack, hackers, malware ... than these are enough.
Of course, if you give out your identity, it makes you vulnerable does not matter how good privacy you have.