Founded in 2017, NetNut now operates a network of over 85 million premium proxies, leveraging a hybrid mix of ISP and dynamic residential proxies across more than 200 ISPs globally; and is trusted by thousands of companies worldwide. NetNut’s Impact Data Initiative provides advanced tools to NGOs, universities, and public entities.
We chatted with NetNut’s VP of Products Eitan Bremler and Sales Team Lead Jason Gellman about the value of accurate data, the diverse needs of its customers, and how NetNut wants to help shape an ethical and responsible industry.
i2Coalition: Can you give us the elevator pitch for NetNut?
Eitan Bremler: We provide our clients with a multi-stack set of web scraping tools, standing at the forefront of web data collection technology. We’re experts at helping organizations collect the critical data they need while ensuring they adhere to privacy laws and regulations, taking steps to maintain security, anonymity, and ethical web scraping methodologies.
Our strengths extend beyond our technology and infrastructure. We’re a dedicated team of web data enthusiasts, committed to providing unparalleled consulting and data strategy optimization services, ensuring our partners not only access the finest tools available, but also possess the knowledge to deploy them effectively.
i2Coalition: What impact do you think recent geopolitical events have had on your more recent growth?
Jason Gellman: As a global enterprise with customers worldwide, we’ve taken measures to mitigate the impact of geopolitical events on our growth. We’re able to balance sales and growth across a diverse range of use cases and geographies.
i2Coalition: NetNut’s solutions cover quite a few different use cases. Which have become the most popular in the last year, and why do you think that is?
EB: Our primary use cases revolve around the collection of people and company data, social network data, and ecommerce data. We believe this is a direct result of more and more companies starting to understand the necessity of accurate data from online sources to perform intelligent decision making.
Consequently, this led to the growth of web data collection across a variety of market segments ranging from sales and investment intelligence to dynamic pricing and social media monitoring.
i2Coalition: What are the main differences in how public entities, NGOs and universities use NetNut, vs. private companies?
JG: Our Impact Data partners and commercial clients share the foundational goal of leveraging data to amplify their organization’s influence. This shared objective spans from enhancing profit margins through data-informed decision-making to gathering critical information that shapes public policy around topics concerning human rights or environmental issues.
However, the pathways to these goals diverge when considering the nature of the websites they need access to. For security reasons, certain websites are typically restricted within our network. Nonetheless, we understand the importance of nuanced access in the pursuit of societal good.
To this end, we grant our Impact Data partners the necessary exemptions to access these sites, helping them reach goals that include combating online hate speech and misinformation, and identifying patterns of trafficking. Meanwhile, our partners in academia primarily use our technology for research purposes.
Our commercial partners, on the other hand, operate under standard protocol, focusing their data collection on enhancing business operations and market understanding.
i2Coalition: Where does government policy interface with your work on a daily basis?
EB: We’re constantly monitoring the changes in government regulations and legislation affecting web data collection. Our legal department works tirelessly on this, and whenever there’s a change which applies to our industry and how our customers should operate, they update us and we take whatever steps necessary to maintain compliance and ethicality.
i2Coalition: Why did your team find it important to join the EWDCI?
JG: We found it important to join EWDCI since as a leader in this space, we feel we can and should make an impact on how web data is collected and used. As we grew exponentially, our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility followed suit. Through our Impact Data Initiative, we equip NGOs and Academia with the resources they need for vital web data collection. This is a testament to our dedication to making a meaningful impact, ensuring that those working towards the greater good have the technology needed.
By participating and maintaining an open dialogue with other vendors, we can contribute from our own experience in the market, learn from others, and overall, help shape the future of responsible web data collection.