So what about we distinguish between "enforced middleman" and "voluntary" or "service provider" "middlemen". (There may be better terms.)

The "enforced middleman" is that one we cannot avoid. We cannot fire, we cannot control, that does things we don't approve of but cannot do anything about other than leave.

While the "voluntary middleman" is somebody we hire because it makes our lives more convenient, but they aren't in a position of power to meddle because we can find/replace them any time.