Who needs all these proxies? The growing market behind many online services (opens original article in a new tab)

Proxy servers support various online services and technologies, including e-commerce, AI, and data collection, with providers self-regulating to prevent abuse.

• Proxy servers are used for commercial, research, and technology purposes including AI applications
• Major proxy providers support e-commerce, data collection, and online travel agencies
• Proxy servers are part of the AI infrastructure for training data and agentic AI tasks
• Reputable providers use residential proxies and self-regulate to prevent abuse
• Ethical Web Data Collection Initiative aims to foster trust and sustainable policies