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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://brightdata-ipv6-release.mintlify.app/llms.txt

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Bright Data offers two distinct modes for accessing its Residential network:

Immediate access (default)

Begin targeting with our Residential network immediately after sign up, without the need for KYC

Full access (recommended)

Expand your Residential network access for your approved use case by completing KYC
On initial setup of your Residential proxy, by default you are given Immediate access and can get started targeting a wide range of domains right away. If during your initial targeting you encounter a 402 Residential Failed (bad_endpoint) or robots.txt error, you will need to request Full access, which can be granted once we get to know you and your use case better through KYC.

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Immediate access

An SSL certificate must be installed on your device when accessing our Residential network with Immediate access.
  • Access a wide range of domains without KYC, under the following limitations:
    • Domains restricted by their own ‘robots.txt’ rules.
    • Domains restricted by Bright Data’s compliance policy for Immediate access.
    • Requests that use specific HTTP methods (POST, PUT, DELETE).
    • Note: Attempting to access restricted domains or methods will result in a 402 Residential Failed (bad_endpoint) error and you’ll need to apply for Full access mode instead.
Completing KYC removes the above restrictions, and automatically grants you Full access to domains under the Residential network, tailored to your approved use case.

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Secure and Ethical Usage

Our SSL certificate ensures compliance with Bright Data’s ethical guidelines while providing secure encryption. Since Immediate Access does not require KYC, the SSL certificate acts as an added layer of assurance, enabling Bright Data to enforce compliance and safeguard the ethical use of our Residential network. This ensures that the network is used responsibly while protecting both users and our infrastructure.If you don’t install our SSL certificate, your requests may be rejected with security errors like “SSL/TLS handshake failure” or “certificate validation error”, indicating an insecure connection. While you can bypass and ignore SSL errors, this is not recommended as it compromises your long-term security.
By installing the SSL certificate, you can immediately start using the Residential network with minimal friction, while enjoying the peace of mind that your traffic is handled ethically and securely.Installing an SSL certificate may sound daunting, but it’s a quick, secure, and one-time setup process that unlocks Immediate Access. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

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Temporary and Limited Data Handling

Bright Data accesses minimal data (e.g., web pages visited, access times) only for troubleshooting and compliance purposes. This data is stored temporarily and is not shared with third parties, except where legally required.

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Privacy-Focused Approach

We prioritize your privacy above all else. Learn more in our Privacy Policy

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Still prefer not to install an SSL certificate?

If you prefer not to install an SSL certificate, you can complete the KYC process to unlock Full Access, eliminating the need for SSL while enabling broader network capabilities.
robots.txt is a file that website owners use to define which areas of their site can be accessed by automated systems. In Immediate access mode, Bright Data adheres to these rules to ensure ethical compliance. Requests to blocked areas will return a 402 Residential Failed (bad_endpoint) error. For unrestricted Full access, complete KYC.
Our dedicated residential proxies are available only to customers who complete our verification process. In Bright Data control panel, when you add a residential proxies zone, under “Proxy type” selection, the “Dedicated” proxies will appear disabled until you pass our verification process. You can use our “Shared” residential proxies in immediate access mode, after installing our certificate or ignoring SSL errors.

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Full access

  • After completing KYC, you will have Full Access to the Residential network, tailored to your approved use case.
  • Allows the use of HTTP methods in your request
  • SSL certificate is not required
  • The option to submit a KYC form is only open to customers that signed up on behalf of a registered company. You will be required to add a user with a company email domain to your account and submit a company registration document during the process.
KYC (Know Your Customer) ensures that all usage of our Residential Proxy Network complies with Bright Data’s ethical guidelines and approved policies. It enables us to verify your use case and provide tailored access to sites and methods that are restricted without KYC. This helps maintain a secure, responsible, and ethical network for all users.
To complete KYC, you’ll need to submit details about your yourself and your scraping use case to verify eligibility by our Compliance team. This process removes the need for an SSL certificate and unlocks access to sites not pre-approved in Immediate Access. Start the KYC process below:Start KYC Verification
The KYC process is not available in Playground/Limited Trial modes. The process can be started only after adding real funds to the account balance.
The duration of Bright Data’s KYC process depends on your submission of required records and documentation we need for the verification process. The KYC verification process typically takes up to one business day to complete. If additional information or documentation is needed, it may prolong to three business days. To avoid delays, ensure your documents’ submission is accurate and in full.
Bright Data compliance team will send a notification email to the email you used to register your account with.