Normal IP visibility
Without an intermediary, the destination service generally sees the public address used by the client network. IP intelligence can then associate that address with an ASN, provider, hosting classification, and approximate geography.
VPN effects
A VPN moves the visible network exit point away from the originating network. The destination therefore sees the VPN server's address and related infrastructure characteristics.
This can improve privacy and change the apparent network location, but it also means destination-side IP intelligence describes the exit infrastructure rather than the original connection.
Proxy and residential networks
Proxies can be hosted in data centers or routed through residential networks. Residential proxy addresses can resemble ordinary ISP traffic, making them harder to distinguish from direct users using IP data alone.
Analytical limits
VPN status should be one signal within a broader trust or security model. Combining network type with behavioral, device, account, or transaction context is generally more informative than treating anonymization as proof of abuse.