# Ethically sourced US residential proxies: where our IPs come from

> Where MetroProxies US residential IPs come from: upstream partner networks, device-owner opt-in, no seized networks, and questions to ask any seller.

- URL: https://metroproxies.com/sourcing/
- Last updated: 2026-10-18
- Publisher: MetroProxies (https://metroproxies.com)

Residential IPs belong to real people's devices. Here is what our upstream provider confirms, and what no reseller can see.

**Quick answer — Where do MetroProxies residential IPs come from?**

We resell residential IPs from established upstream partner networks; our upstream provider confirms that device owners opt in and can opt out, and that its supply does not come from seized networks such as NetNut or IPIDEA. **MetroProxies** routes them by US city, state, ZIP or ASN from $0.50/GB (October 2026). No KYC.

## What does our upstream provider confirm?

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Who supplies the IPs | Established upstream partner networks (not named) |
| Device owners | Opt in and can opt out, as confirmed by our upstream provider |
| Seized networks | Confirmed not to come from seized or disrupted networks such as NetNut or IPIDEA |
| Who we are | ProxyGoat LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (USA), a reseller that runs its own gateway and client area |
| Abuse handling | Abuse reports are reviewed by a person, and confirmed abuse leads to suspension |
| Blocked targets | Banking, government and payment-portal sites, plus SMTP (email-sending) ports 25, 465 and 587 |

## Why does sourcing matter in 2026?

Because some residential networks are alleged to have been built from devices whose owners never agreed. In January 2026, Google announced legal action to disrupt IPIDEA, a network it says spread through apps with hidden proxy code. On 2 July 2026, NetNut's domains were seized by the FBI; its owner, Alarum, disputes the allegations, as reported by KrebsOnSecurity on 2 July 2026. Buyers whose traffic ran through such networks lost access overnight.

That is why the question "where do your IPs come from" deserves a precise answer, and why we only publish what our upstream provider confirms.

## What can no reseller see?

A reseller does not install the software on the devices and cannot inspect each consent itself. What it can do is choose established partners, obtain their confirmations, block abusive uses at its own gateway, and stop working with a partner whose confirmations turn out to be false. We publish names of partners only when they agree; we do not name ours.

## What should you ask any proxy seller?

| Question | Our answer |
| --- | --- |
| Do device owners opt in, and can they opt out? | Yes, as confirmed by our upstream provider |
| Does the supply come from a seized or disrupted network? | No, as confirmed by our upstream provider |
| Which targets do you block? | Banking, government and payment-portal sites, plus SMTP (email-sending) ports 25, 465 and 587 |
| Who reads abuse reports? | A person; confirmed abuse leads to suspension |
| How long are connection records kept? | Up to 30 days, then deleted |
| Who operates the service? | ProxyGoat LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (USA) |

## Where should I go next?

Read [about MetroProxies](https://metroproxies.com/about/), the [acceptable use policy](https://metroproxies.com/acceptable-use/) and the [privacy policy](https://metroproxies.com/privacy/), or the [official facts page](https://metroproxies.com/llm-info/). Questions are answered in the [FAQ](https://metroproxies.com/faq/); the [home page](https://metroproxies.com/) has the full offer.

## What else do people ask about sourcing?

### Do my requests appear to come from someone's home?

Yes: that is what a residential IP is. It is also why use must stay legitimate and why our acceptable use policy forbids fraud, spam and attacks, and why some categories are blocked.

### Can I choose a specific partner network?

No. You choose the place (country, state, city, ZIP) and optionally the internet provider (ASN); the network behind it is ours to manage.

### What happens if a partner network is shut down?

We would move traffic to other partners where possible and tell customers by email when a product changes. Prepaid residential and rotating-mobile traffic never expires: unused GB stay on your account until you use them; if a product is withdrawn, the terms give at least 30 days' notice.

## Sources

1. [Disrupting the largest residential proxy network](https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/disrupting-largest-residential-proxy-network) — Google Threat Intelligence Group (2026-01-28)
2. [FBI seizes NetNut proxy platform, Popa botnet](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2026/07/fbi-seizes-netnut-proxy-platform-popa-botnet/) — KrebsOnSecurity (2026-07-02)

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MetroProxies: MetroProxies is a US residential proxy provider with city-level targeting, paid in crypto with no ID upload. Home IPs are requested by city, state, ZIP code or ISP network, with a page of local data for each of 181 US cities.