When you work with dozens of Facebook Ads accounts, manage client profiles on Instagram, or scrape competitor prices on marketplaces — the issue of privacy becomes critical. The proxy provider sees all your traffic: which sites you visit, what data you enter, and from which accounts you operate. If the provider logs (stores) this information — your data could fall into the hands of third parties, competitors, or law enforcement agencies.
In this guide, we will explore 7 practical ways to check a proxy provider for data logging — from document analysis to technical tests. The methods are suitable for arbitrageurs, SMM specialists, marketplace sellers, and anyone who values privacy.
Why logging is dangerous for your business
Before moving on to the verification methods, it is important to understand what risks data logging by a proxy provider entails. This is not an abstract threat — these are real scenarios that can collapse your business.
What exactly can the provider log
When all your traffic passes through a proxy server, the provider technically has access to:
- Visited sites and URLs — which platforms you use (Facebook Ads, Instagram, Wildberries)
- Timestamps — when and how long you worked with each account
- Volume of data transferred — how much traffic each IP address consumed
- Unencrypted data — if you use HTTP instead of HTTPS, the provider sees all the content of requests
- Account metadata — the connection between different IPs and your accounts
- Authorization data — usernames, passwords, tokens when using HTTP proxies without encryption
Real risks for different categories of users
For arbitrageurs:
- Disclosure of the connection between advertising accounts → chain bans in Facebook Ads
- Leakage of creatives and bundles to competitors
- Data transmission to advertising platforms upon request
- Blocking all accounts if the platform receives logs from the provider
For SMM specialists:
- Loss of client Instagram/TikTok accounts due to the disclosure of multi-accounting
- Leakage of content strategies and posting schedules
- Access by third parties to correspondence with clients
- Reputational risks in the event of client data leakage
For marketplace sellers:
- Disclosure of pricing strategy and competitor monitoring
- Data transmission about scraping to the marketplaces themselves (Wildberries, Ozon)
- Leakage of information about suppliers and products
- Blocking of seller accounts when logs are transmitted to the platform
The most dangerous scenario is when the provider collaborates with platforms (Facebook, Google, Instagram) and transmits logs to them upon request. In this case, the platform receives a complete picture of your multi-accounting and can block all associated accounts simultaneously.
Analysis of the provider's privacy policy
The first and simplest way to check is to carefully study the privacy policy on the provider's website. Serious companies clearly state what they log and what they do not.
What to look for in the Privacy Policy
Open the provider's privacy policy and look for sections about logging. Pay attention to the following phrases:
| Phrase | What it means | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| "No-logs policy" or "Zero-logs" | The provider states that it does not store user activity logs | ✓ Good |
| "We collect connection logs for 24-48 hours" | They store connection logs (IP, time) temporarily for technical purposes | ~ Acceptable |
| "We log traffic for quality control" | They log all traffic for "quality control" — dangerous | ✗ Bad |
| "We may share data with law enforcement" | They transmit data upon request from authorities — means they store logs | ✗ Bad |
| "We don't monitor your browsing activity" | They do not track which sites you visit | ✓ Good |
| No privacy policy at all | A critical red flag — avoid such a provider | ✗✗ Dangerous |
Key questions for the Privacy Policy
When analyzing the document, ask yourself these questions:
- Is there a clear statement about no-logs? If the provider does not store logs — they will state it clearly, as it is a competitive advantage.
- What exactly do they log for "technical purposes"? The difference between logging connection times and full traffic is huge.
- How long are the logs stored? 24 hours — acceptable, 30 days — already dangerous, "indefinitely" — avoid.
- Who do they share data with? If there is a phrase "third-party partners" without specifying who they are — red flag.
- Is there a mention of a warrant canary? This is an indicator that the provider takes privacy seriously (I will explain below).
💡 Practical tip: Use the page search (Ctrl+F) and look for words: "log", "store", "retain", "collect", "share", "third party". This will quickly show all mentions of logging in the document.
Example of good and bad policy
✓ Example of a good formulation:
"We operate a strict no-logs policy. We do not store any information about websites you visit, your search queries, or data content. We only retain minimal connection metadata (timestamp and bandwidth used) for 24 hours for technical troubleshooting, which cannot identify your online activity."
✗ Example of a bad formulation:
"We may collect and store information about your usage of our services including but not limited to browsing history, connection times, and accessed resources. This data may be shared with third parties for business purposes or provided to law enforcement upon request."
If the privacy policy is written vaguely, with many caveats like "may", "might", "in certain cases" — this is a sign that the provider leaves themselves the option to log anything. Reliable providers formulate clearly and specifically.
Jurisdiction and legislation check
Even if the provider claims a no-logs policy, the legislation of the country of registration may require them to store data. This is the second critical factor in verification.
Dangerous jurisdictions for privacy
There are international alliances of intelligence agencies that require companies to store user data and transmit it upon request:
| Alliance | Countries | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Eyes | USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Maximum data exchange between intelligence services |
| 9 Eyes | 5 Eyes + Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway | High level of surveillance |
| 14 Eyes | 9 Eyes + Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sweden | Moderate risk |
| Russia | Data retention law (Yarovaya) | Mandatory log retention for 6-12 months |
| China | Cybersecurity law | Full state control over data |
How to check the provider's jurisdiction
Follow these steps:
- Find the "About Us" or "Contact" section on the provider's website — it usually lists the company's legal address.
- Check the WHOIS of the domain — use services like whois.com to find out where the domain and company are registered.
- Examine the Terms of Service — it must specify the jurisdiction for dispute resolution.
- Check payment details — the country of the bank account or payment processor will indicate the actual location.
⚠️ Important: Some providers register their company in a "safe" jurisdiction (e.g., Panama, Seychelles), but the servers are physically located in the USA or EU. In this case, the data is still subject to local legislation. Ask support where the servers are physically located.
Safe jurisdictions for proxies
Countries with strong privacy protection and no mandatory logging laws:
- Switzerland — strict data protection laws, not part of surveillance alliances
- Panama — no laws on mandatory data retention
- British Virgin Islands (BVI) — a popular jurisdiction for VPNs and proxies
- Seychelles — no data transfer agreements with other countries
- Romania — part of the EU, but no laws on mandatory logging
If the provider of residential proxies is registered in one of these countries — it is a good sign, but not a guarantee. Always check the other points from this guide.
Technical tests for data leaks
In addition to document analysis, you can conduct practical tests that will show how well the proxy protects your privacy. These methods do not require technical knowledge — just a browser and 15-20 minutes of your time.
Test 1: DNS leak test
DNS requests reveal which sites you visit. If the proxy does not protect DNS — the provider (or your internet provider) sees all your requests even through the proxy.
How to check:
- Connect to the proxy through an anti-detect browser (Dolphin Anty, AdsPower, or GoLogin)
- Open the site
dnsleaktest.com - Click "Extended test"
- Wait for the results
What should be in the results:
- ✓ All DNS servers belong to the proxy provider or anonymous services
- ✓ The country of the DNS servers matches the country of the proxy
- ✗ If your internet provider's DNS is visible — there is a leak, the proxy does not protect DNS
Test 2: WebRTC leak test
WebRTC is a technology for video calls in the browser. It can reveal your real IP address even when using a proxy.
How to check:
- Connect to the proxy
- Open
browserleaks.com/webrtc - Check the "Public IP Address" section
What should be:
- ✓ Only the proxy IP is displayed
- ✗ If your real IP is visible in the "Local IP" or "Public IP" section — there is a leak
💡 Solution: If you detect a WebRTC leak — disable WebRTC in the settings of the anti-detect browser. In Dolphin Anty and AdsPower, this is done in profile settings → Advanced → WebRTC → Disabled or Altered.
Test 3: HTTP headers check
Some proxies add headers to HTTP requests that reveal that you are using a proxy, or even transmit your real IP.
How to check:
- Connect to the proxy
- Open
whoer.netorbrowserleaks.com/ip - Check the "HTTP headers" or "Request headers" section
Dangerous headers (should not be present):
X-Forwarded-For— may contain your real IPVia— indicates that the request is going through a proxyX-Real-IP— may reveal the real IPForwarded— modern version of X-Forwarded-For
If these headers are present — the proxy is misconfigured or the provider intentionally transmits information that a proxy is being used. Quality mobile proxies and residential proxies should not add such headers.
Test 4: Geolocation consistency check
This test shows how "clean" the IP issued by the provider is — whether the geolocation data from different sources matches.
How to check:
- Connect to the proxy
- Open several IP check services:
whoer.net,2ip.ru,ipleak.net - Compare the data: country, city, provider, timezone
What should be:
- ✓ All services show the same country and city
- ✓ The browser's timezone matches the IP's geolocation
- ✓ The internet provider looks like a regular ISP, not a data center
- ✗ If the data contradict each other — the IP is "dirty" or the proxy is poorly configured
Analysis of payment and registration methods
Payment methods and registration requirements say a lot about how seriously the provider takes user privacy.
Anonymous payment methods
Providers that genuinely care about privacy offer anonymous payment methods:
| Payment Method | Level of Anonymity | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Monero) | High | Maximum anonymity, especially Monero |
| Prepaid cards | Medium-high | Good if they do not require verification |
| PayPal | Medium | Partial anonymity from the provider |
| Bank cards | Low | The provider knows your identity |
| Bank transfer | Low | Complete disclosure of identity |
If the provider only accepts bank cards and transfers — this is a sign that they do not mind knowing who you are. Having cryptocurrency as a payment option is a good sign (though not a guarantee of no logging).
Registration requirements
Pay attention to what the provider requires when creating an account:
- ✓ Only email — minimal requirements, temporary email can be used
- ~ Email + phone number — acceptable if they do not require document verification
- ✗ Identity verification (KYC) — passport, selfie with documents — the provider definitely knows who you are
- ✗ Linking to social networks — an additional means of identification
⚠️ KYC Paradox: Some providers require identity verification "to combat fraud," but at the same time claim a no-logs policy. This contradiction — if they store your documents, they can technically link your activity to your identity even without traffic logs.
Reputation and review research
The reputation of the provider in the professional community is one of the most reliable indicators. People who have lost accounts due to data leaks will definitely write about it.
Where to find real reviews
Do not trust reviews on the provider's website or on platforms like Trustpilot (they can be easily manipulated). Look for discussions in professional communities:
- Telegram channels of arbitrageurs — they discuss which providers "leak" Facebook data
- Traffic arbitrage forums — look for threads about security and privacy
- Reddit — subreddits r/privacy, r/VPN (the principles of checking VPNs apply to proxies)
- Specialized forums — blackhatworld.com, bhw.com for discussing tools
- YouTube reviews — look for independent reviews from practitioners, not promotional videos
What to pay attention to in reviews
Look for mentions of specific incidents:
- "After using the proxy from [provider], I received a chain ban on all Facebook accounts" — possible leakage of connections between accounts
- "The provider transmitted logs upon court request" — confirmation that logs are stored
- "IP addresses quickly get blacklisted" — a sign that the IPs are used for spam or the provider sells one IP to many
- "Support requested details of my activity" — means they have access to logs
Checking incident history
Search Google for queries:
"[provider name]" + "data breach"— data leaks"[provider name]" + "logging" + "proof"— evidence of logging"[provider name]" + "banned accounts"— connection with account bans"[provider name]" + "warrant canary"— is there a warning system for requests from authorities
If you find news about data leaks or logs being transmitted to authorities — this is a critical red flag. Even one such incident means that the no-logs policy does not work in practice.
Provider transparency indicators
Providers that truly do not log data are usually as transparent as possible in their operations. Here are signs of openness to look for:
Warrant Canary
This is a public statement by the provider that they have NOT received requests from law enforcement agencies. It is updated regularly (quarterly or annually). If the statement stops being updated — it means the provider received a request and legally cannot inform directly, but can "forget" to update the canary.
Example of a Warrant Canary statement:
- Any National Security Letters
- Any gag orders
- Any warrants from any government organization
- Any requests to log user data
The presence of a Warrant Canary is a very strong positive signal. It shows that the provider is willing to take legal risks to warn users.
Transparency Report
Some providers publish regular reports on data requests from authorities and companies. The report includes:
- The number of requests received from law enforcement
- The number of requests they complied with
- The number of requests they rejected
- Types of requested data
- Countries from which requests were made
If the provider publishes a Transparency Report and it states "0 requests fulfilled due to lack of data" — this confirms the no-logs policy in practice.
Independent security audit
Top providers commission independent audits of their infrastructure from specialized companies (e.g., PwC, Cure53, Deloitte). Auditors check:
- Whether there are indeed no logging systems on the servers
- Whether the technical implementation matches the stated policy
- Whether there are vulnerabilities that could lead to data leaks
If the provider has passed an independent audit and publishes the results — this is the highest level of trust. Check:
- Who conducted the audit (is it a well-known company)
- When it was conducted (is the report recent or 5 years old)
- Is the full report published or just a "summary"
Open source components
Some providers make part of their code open (client applications, libraries). This allows independent researchers to verify the absence of hidden logging functions. Although the server-side remains closed, the openness of the client code is a positive sign.
Red flags: when logging is definitely present
There are situations when you can confidently say that the provider logs data, even if they deny it. Here is a list of critical red flags:
The provider can show your activity
If you contact support with a problem and the operator says: "I see that you accessed site X at 14:35" or "Your IP was used to access these resources" — this is direct evidence of logging. A provider with a real no-logs policy physically cannot know what you were doing.
Free proxies
Free proxies ALWAYS log data — this is their business model. They either sell your data to advertisers or use it for other purposes. Never use free proxies for working with important accounts.
Prices that are too cheap
If data center proxies cost 5-10 times less than the market price — ask how the provider makes money. Perhaps by selling your data or using your traffic for DDoS attacks.
Requirement to install a certificate
If the provider requires you to install a root SSL certificate "for proper HTTPS operation" — this allows them to decrypt all your HTTPS traffic (man-in-the-middle attack). Legitimate proxy providers NEVER require the installation of certificates.
Lack of privacy documents
No Privacy Policy, vague Terms of Service, no jurisdiction specified — this means the provider is hiding information.