World of DaaS Roundtable Recap: Web Scraping & Data Collection Challenges

At our latest World of DaaS roundtable, data leaders came together to discuss the technical, legal, and buyer trust dynamics shaping the future of web scraping. The conversation highlighted the shifting landscape of compliance, the realities of operating at scale, and how companies can better position themselves as trusted partners.

1. Compliance Is Becoming the Core Differentiator

Participants agreed that the biggest challenge in web scraping today is not technical but legal and reputational. Buyers want proof that data is collected responsibly, making compliance frameworks a key selling point.

As one participant put it, “Enterprise buyers aren’t just asking what data you can deliver, they’re asking how you got it.” Independent working groups and NGOs are beginning to push for clearer standards that separate ethical scraping from questionable practices. Companies that align with these efforts are more likely to establish credibility and reduce buyer hesitation.

2. Scale Creates Operational and Cost Pressures

Scraping the modern web is increasingly expensive and unpredictable. Websites change formats, block traffic, and throttle bots, which raises infrastructure costs and error rates.

One attendee noted, “It’s not just can you collect the data, but can you do it sustainably at scale.” Suggested solutions included adaptive crawlers that self-correct when websites change, smarter proxy management, and focusing on high-value data sources instead of trying to cover everything.

3. Trust Is Hard to Build, Easy to Lose

Enterprise buyers are cautious because compliance lapses can damage their own brand as much as their vendor’s. Trust was described as fragile. “If the data is flagged as non-compliant, it doesn’t just hurt the vendor, it hurts the customer’s brand too,” one participant observed.

The group emphasized transparency as the best defense. Sharing documentation, sourcing disclosures, and even compliance playbooks can help reassure buyers. Others stressed the importance of engaging with regulators early, so companies can prepare for and even influence evolving standards.

4. Market Education Is Lagging

Despite widespread reliance on scraped data, many buyers still do not fully understand how it works. Some assume all vendors operate the same way, while others underestimate the complexity and risk involved.

“You have to explain the difference between doing it right and doing it fast,” one participant said. Suggested solutions included customer education through webinars, transparency reports, and onboarding sessions that walk buyers through sourcing practices (World of DaaS resource coming soon…)

5. The Future Belongs to Transparent Providers

The roundtable agreed that the future of this market will not be decided by who can scrape the most websites but by who can do it most responsibly. Compliance, efficiency, and trust are the new differentiators.

“It’s not just about what data you have, but whether buyers can trust how you got it,” one participant summed up.

Key Takeaways

• Compliance is the strongest differentiator in today’s web scraping market.

• Scaling scraping is costly and technically challenging. Efficiency is key.

• Trust and transparency matter as much as coverage.

• Education is critical since many buyers do not understand the nuances of data sourcing.

• Long term winners will be providers who combine scale with transparency and defensibility.

If you are a DaaS executive interested in participating in future roundtables, apply to join our World of DaaS community.