Getting started with Privacy Monitor, Privacy Monitor Assistant, and Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite

Use Privacy Monitor, Privacy Monitor Assistant, and Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite to see where your personal information is exposed on data broker / people‑search sites and to help remove that information, reducing your online footprint and privacy risk.

What these services do

What are data brokers and people‑search sites?

Data brokers and people‑search websites collect details such as your name, address, phone number, date of birth and more from public records and online activity, then list or sell that information to others (for example marketers, investigators, or fraudsters).

Having your information widely exposed can increase risks like identity theft, spam, scams, stalking, or doxxing.

What is Privacy Monitor?

Privacy Monitor is a feature that makes it helps make it harder for identity thieves to steal your identity:

• Scans supported people‑search and data broker sites to find where your personal information is publicly listed.
• Shows which sites have your data and what’s exposed (for example your name, address, phone number).
• Guides you through site‑by‑site steps to request removal or suppression of your information from those locations (manual opt‑out).
• Alerts you to new matches of your personal information so you can check and take action again.

Privacy Monitor is available in many Norton 360 and LifeLock plans, and may also appear inside products like Norton VPN (under Privacy).

Important: Privacy Monitor helps you find your information and provides instructions to opt out with each data broker. Removal is not automatic unless you also use Privacy Monitor Assistant or Automatic Data Broker Removal where provided.

To see which sites are currently covered, see:
Data Brokers supported by Privacy Monitoring.

What is Privacy Monitor Assistant?

Privacy Monitor Assistant (PMA) is a paid service that goes beyond scanning and manual instructions:

• After Privacy Monitor finds your exposed information, Norton’s privacy experts submit opt‑out requests to supported data broker sites on your behalf (agent‑assisted removal).
• You can typically submit an opt‑out request about once every 90 days (once per quarter); we send a batch of requests to supported data brokers each time.
• You’ll receive an email once all opt‑out requests in that batch have been sent to the data brokers.

How you can get PMA (availability varies by region and plan):

• As an add‑on (opt‑out assistance only) for customers whose plan already includes Privacy Monitor.
• As a standalone purchase that includes both Privacy Monitor scanning and Privacy Monitor Assistant removal help.
• Included in some LifeLock and employee benefit plans (for example certain Benefit Premier / Premier Plus‑type offerings; exact plan names vary by country and group benefit).

PMA is currently available only in selected regions (currently Unites States, Canada, and the United Kingdom); availability depends on your plan and where you purchased it.

What is Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite?

Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite (sometimes shown as Automatic Data Broker Removal) is a lighter, mostly automatic version of Privacy Monitor Assistant that is included with some newer LifeLock and partner plans.

Key points:

• It automatically sends removal requests for a smaller set of supported data broker sites when your information is found, without you needing to click through each site or talk to an agent.
• It runs on an ongoing schedule (about every 90 days) to rescan and resubmit removals as needed.
• It does not include Online Account Cleaner and does not provide full agent “white‑glove” handling of special cases that’s reserved for full Privacy Monitor Assistant.

In some partner experiences, PMA Lite may be labeled “Privacy Monitor Assist (Lite)” or simply “Data Broker Removal” in the user interface.

What is Online Account Cleaner?

Online Account Cleaner (OAC) is an additional feature included only with full Privacy Monitor Assistant (not with PMA Lite).

Online Account Cleaner:

• Scans your email inbox to detect account‑sign‑up patterns and helps you find old, unused, or risky online accounts tied to your email address.
• Groups results into tiles such as High Risk, Dormant, and Other Accounts so you can see which companies have what data.
• Lets you request data and account removal, unsubscribe from marketing, or mark a company as trusted.
• Continues to scan regularly and surface new findings so you can keep cleaning up over time.

You access Online Account Cleaner from the Privacy Monitor / Privacy Monitor Assistant area in your Norton account on the web.

Before you start

To get the most from Privacy Monitor and Privacy Monitor Assistant:

• You can sign in to your Norton account at my.norton.com.
• Your subscription or plan includes Privacy Monitor, or you have the option to purchase Privacy Monitor Assistant (or a plan that includes PMA Lite).
• You’re in a supported region (for example, PMA in the Norton 360 mobile app is currently available only in the U.S.; other PM/PMALite features may vary by country).
• You’re on a compatible device (Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS).

Step 1 – Set up and run Privacy Monitor

You’ll start with Privacy Monitor, which finds your exposed personal information on supported data broker sites.

On the web / desktop (My Norton)

1. Sign in to your Norton account at my.norton.com.
   
   
2. On the Privacy Monitor or Privacy Monitor Assistant tile, click Set up, Submit Request or View Details (wording may vary by plan and interface).
     
   
   
3. When prompted, edit or confirm your personal information (such as your name, address, date of birth, address, and phone number) and save your details so Privacy Monitor can search for accurate matches.  All fields are required except for middle name.
   1. The primary e-mail cannot be change is set from when Privacy Monitor is first obtained.
      
4. After confirming your info, Privacy Monitor will search supported data broker and for your information. When the scan completes, review the list of websites that have exposed your information in the results area (for example under Your Results or Potential Exposed Info List).

What information can I enter?

The exact fields can vary by country and product, but you can generally enter or confirm:

• Name
  • First name (x2)
  • Middle name (x2)
  • Last name (x2)
• Date of birth
• Address (x3)
• Phone Number (x5)
• Email (x5)
  • At this time the primary e-mail cannot be edited and is set from the initial set up of Privacy Monitor.

We use this information only to narrow the search to your records. The Privacy Monitor / PMA documentation explicitly notes that while we use personal information to help protect members, we do not sell or distribute this information. The information can be edited at any time through the Settings page. Keep in mind, any changes you make will apply to your next scan.

In the Norton 360 mobile app (Android / iOS)

To set up Privacy Monitor and see your results in the Norton 360 app:

Android

1. Open the Norton 360 app.
2. At the bottom, tap Menu, then tap Privacy Monitor.
3. Tap Set up and follow the prompts to add your personal information; tap Done when finished.
4. View and review your Privacy Monitor results within the app.

iOS

1. Open the Norton 360 app.
2. Tap Menu, then Privacy Monitor.
3. Tap View Your Results and add any missing personal information, then tap Done.
4. You’ll see your results and Privacy Monitor Assistant options within the app.

In the LifeLock Identity mobile app (Android / iOS)

If you use the LifeLock Identity app, you may see Privacy Monitor / Privacy Monitor Assistant tiles on the home screen:

1. Open the LifeLock Identity app.
2. Tap Home, then scroll down and tap the Privacy Monitor or Privacy Monitor Assistant tile.
3. Tap Set up and follow the prompts to add your personal information; tap Done when finished.
4. View and review your Privacy Monitor results within the app.

Step 2 – Choose how you want to remove your data

Once you see where your personal data is exposed, you decide how to handle removal:

Option A – Remove your data yourself with Privacy Monitor (manual)

Use this option if you prefer to submit opt‑out requests on your own.

1. In your Privacy Monitor results, select a website that has your exposed information (for example, click View details under that site).
2. Scroll to the opt‑out section (for example, under Do you want to opt out on your own with Privacy Monitor?) and follow the on‑screen instructions for that data broker.
3. Repeat for each site you want to remove your information from.

For detailed, step‑by‑step instructions for many supported data brokers, see:

• Opting out of a data broker for Privacy Monitor – manual opt‑out instructions by site.
• Data Brokers supported by Privacy Monitoring – full list of sites we scan and support.

Tip: People‑search sites can add new information or republish removed profiles over time. It’s a good idea to rerun a Privacy Monitor scan about every 90 days so you can check for new or reappearing listings.

Option B – Let Privacy Monitor Assistant submit opt‑out requests for you (agent‑assisted)

Use this option if your plan includes Privacy Monitor Assistant and you’d rather have Norton’s agents submit opt‑out requests on your behalf.

From the web / My Norton portal

1. Run and review your Privacy Monitor scan as described above.
2. Under Privacy Monitor Assistant, click Buy it now / Upgrade if you don’t already have PMA, or Submit Request if you do.
3. If purchasing, complete the purchase flow in the new tab, then sign back in to your Norton account.
4. Click Submit Request to start your opt‑out request.
5. Read and accept the License and Services Agreement (you must agree before Norton can submit requests).
6. In some cases, you may be asked to upload a driver’s license or provide additional verification where a data broker requires it, especially in the U.S.; Canada members are not asked for a driver’s license for current brokers.
7. Submit your request. You’ll see confirmation that it was received, and later you’ll get an email once the opt‑out requests have been sent to the data brokers.

You can submit an opt‑out request with Privacy Monitor Assistant once every 90 days. If you try to submit again too soon, you’ll see messaging that a request has already been submitted and when you can next send one.

From the Norton 360 mobile app

Before using PMA in the app, make sure you’ve enrolled in Privacy Monitor and purchased Privacy Monitor Assistant within Norton 360.

1. Open the Norton 360 app.
2. Tap Privacy.
3. Under Privacy Monitor Assistant, tap Submit request, then tap I Agree to the terms.
4. Follow the on‑screen instructions to complete your request.

Step 3 – Reduce your digital footprint with Online Account Cleaner (PMA customers)

If your subscription includes Privacy Monitor Assistant, you can use Online Account Cleaner to find and manage old or risky online accounts tied to your email.

See:
Setting up Online Account Cleaner with Privacy Monitor Assistant for full setup and provider‑specific instructions.

How often should you use these features?

As a general guideline:

• Privacy Monitor scan: About once every 90 days (once per quarter) to catch new or reappearing exposures.
• Privacy Monitor Assistant opt‑out request: About once every 90 days, so our team can send a fresh round of opt‑out requests as needed.
• Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite: Runs on a recurring schedule (roughly quarterly) in the background for supported plans; you can still sign in any time to review your status and confirmations.
• Online Account Cleaner: Check in whenever you receive a scan summary email or if you’re concerned about new accounts or data breaches.

Limitations and expectations

These services are powerful, but there are some important limits to understand:

• Supported sites only: Privacy Monitor and Privacy Monitor Assistant only cover supported data brokers. You can see the full list in Data Brokers supported by Privacy Monitoring.
• Some sites don’t allow third‑party requests: A few data brokers do not allow third parties to opt out on your behalf. In those cases, we provide instructions so you can complete the steps yourself.
• Processing time: Data brokers typically process opt‑out requests over about 2–4 weeks, though timing varies by site.
• Verification challenges: Some brokers hide profiles behind logins or paywalls, which can make it technically impossible for Norton to verify that a specific profile has been completely removed; we rely on valid requests and future scans to confirm results.
• Information can reappear: Data brokers can re‑add your information later or new broker sites can appear over time. That’s why periodic scans and repeated opt‑outs (every 90 days) are recommended.

FAQ

1. What’s the difference between Privacy Monitor, Privacy Monitor Assistant, and Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite?

Privacy Monitor

• Scans supported data broker / people‑search sites for your information.
• Shows you where you’re exposed and gives you site‑specific instructions to opt out or suppress your data yourself.
• Included with many Norton and LifeLock plans as a free feature.

Privacy Monitor Assistant (PMA)

• Everything in Privacy Monitor, plus Norton privacy experts submit opt‑out requests for you to supported brokers.
• Lets you submit a new request every 90 days, and sends you email confirmation when batches of requests go out.
• Offered as an add‑on, a standalone product, and in certain LifeLock / employee benefit plans.

Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite

• An automatic “data broker removal” service included in some newer LifeLock and partner plans.
• Automatically sends removal requests for a smaller, curated set of brokers and reruns them on a roughly 90‑day cycle, with minimal or no agent involvement.
• Does not include Online Account Cleaner and does not cover as many brokers or special‑case scenarios as full PMA.

2. Is my information secure when I use these services?

Yes. These services are built to use your personal information only for the purpose of finding and helping remove your data from data broker sites:

• Internal documentation emphasizes that while we use personal information to narrow searches and help protect members, we never sell or distribute this information.
• PMA and PMA Lite have gone through formal internal security and architecture reviews focused on how personal data is handled in scanning and removal workflows.

In practice, that means:

• Your data is transmitted and stored using industry‑standard security controls.
• Access to PM/PMA tools and customer records is restricted to authorized personnel who need it to process your requests, and those teams receive privacy and security training.
• Access and actions in these systems are subject to internal monitoring and review as part of Gen Digital’s security program.

For full details on how Norton and LifeLock handle your data, always refer to the NortonLifeLock / Gen Digital privacy policy and license & services agreements linked from your account and order pages.

3. How do Norton agents handle my data when I use Privacy Monitor Assistant?

When you submit a PMA request:

• Our agents work from the information already stored in your Privacy Monitor profile — you don’t need to read your data over the phone.
• They use standardized, documented procedures and broker‑specific instructions for sending opt‑out requests, as described in the PMA and broker‑instruction knowledge articles.
• Only a limited set of identity restoration / privacy specialists can access the PMA tooling and case records; other support agents can walk you through how to use PMA but can’t see more than they need.

All of this is governed by the overall NortonLifeLock security and privacy controls that apply to identity protection products.

4. What information do I need to provide to run a scan?

To get accurate results, you’ll typically be asked for:

• Your full name
• Current home address, city, state / province, ZIP or postal code
• Date of birth
• Phone number and e-mail address

These fields help match you correctly and avoid confusing you with someone who has a similar name.

You can review or update this profile any time from your Privacy Monitor dashboard.

5. How often should I run scans or submit PMA requests?

• Privacy Monitor scan: About once every 90 days (quarterly), or any time you’re especially concerned about new exposures (for example after a major data breach involving a company you use).
• Privacy Monitor Assistant (PMA): You can send a new batch of opt‑out requests once every 90 days; this cadence is built into PMA’s design and reflected in the portal messaging.
• Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite: Runs automatically on a repeating cycle when the feature is included with your plan — you don’t have to schedule it, but you can sign in to view status and supported brokers periodically.

6. How long does it take for my data to be removed?

Once an opt‑out request is sent:

• Data brokers typically process requests in about 2–4 weeks, though some may be faster or slower.

If a site still shows your information after 4 weeks, check:

1. Whether that site is on the supported data broker list (if not, you may need to follow that site’s own opt‑out process).
   
   
2. Whether the listing is behind a paywall or login; PMA cannot always re‑verify those profiles directly, even after a valid request has been sent.

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7. Can my information come back after it’s been removed?

Yes. Even after a successful removal:

• Data brokers may refresh their databases from public records or third‑party feeds and re‑add your details.
  
  
• New data broker / people‑search sites can appear over time and pick up your information independently.

That’s why periodic scans and recurring opt‑outs (manual, PMA, or PMA Lite) are a normal part of keeping your data off these sites.

8. What happens if a site doesn’t respond or refuses to remove my data?

There are a few possibilities:

• Some brokers don’t support third‑party opt‑outs at all. In those cases, PMA can’t complete removal for you, but Privacy Monitor and our support articles provide instructions so you can contact that site directly.
  
  
• A site may process requests slowly or inconsistently. PMA follows each broker’s documented process and timelines, but cannot force a site to comply faster than its own rules.
  
  
• If a broker flatly refuses to remove your data (which sometimes happens in jurisdictions that allow it), we’ll set expectations in the PMA confirmation and subsequent scans; you’ll still see that broker listed as not removed, and you may decide whether to contact them yourself.

You can always use the manual instructions in the Privacy Monitor / broker‑specific support articles to try additional approaches (for example requesting removal under local privacy laws, where applicable).

9. Why do I still see my information on a site after using Privacy Monitor Assistant?

Common reasons:

• The broker is still processing your request. It can take several weeks for changes to appear in public search results.
  
  
• Your information may have been re‑indexed or republished from another source; PMA can send another opt‑out request for that broker in your next 90‑day cycle.
  
  
• The site is not in our supported broker list, so PMA never targeted it; you’ll need to follow that site’s own opt‑out steps.

If you’re concerned about a specific broker, compare it against the Data Brokers supported by Privacy Monitoring article and, if needed, follow the manual instructions for that site.

10. Can Norton remove my information from every website on the internet?

No. These services target a defined group of supported data broker and people‑search sites, not every possible website, forum, or social network.

• Privacy Monitor’s broker list is maintained and updated over time; sites may be added or removed as the market changes.
  
  
• Some sites do not accept third‑party opt‑outs, or are outside the service scope (for example, social networks, news archives, user‑generated content platforms).

You can see the current coverage at any time in Data Brokers supported by Privacy Monitoring and in your Privacy Monitor dashboard.

11. Do I need to upload a driver’s license or ID?

Sometimes. A subset of brokers require government‑issued ID to verify identity before honoring a removal request.

• In the U.S., some data brokers (for example certain background‑check providers) ask for a driver’s license image; the privacy portal will prompt you only where required.
  
  
• Canada members are not asked to upload a driver’s license for the brokers currently in scope.

If you’re uncomfortable providing ID for a specific broker, you can skip that site (your other removals will still proceed) or follow the broker’s public opt‑out instructions manually.

12. Does using these services affect my credit report or score?

No. Privacy Monitor, Privacy Monitor Assistant, and Privacy Monitor Assistant Lite do not pull credit reports or place credit inquiries.

• They work primarily with publicly available data broker / people‑search sites and online account metadata, not credit bureaus.
  
  
• Credit‑related alerts and monitoring (for example Credit File or Tradeline alerts) are handled by separate credit monitoring features, not by PM/PMA.

You may see identity or address‑related alerts in your Norton account, but those come from credit monitoring services configured in your plan, not from Privacy Monitor scanning itself.

13. How can I tell if my plan includes Privacy Monitor, PMA, or PMA Lite?

Because plan line‑ups vary by country and channel, the most reliable way is to check from your account:

33. Sign in at my.norton.com.
    
    
34. Go to My Subscriptions.
    
    
35. Look for features such as:

• • Privacy Monitor
    
    
  • Privacy Monitor Assistant
    
    
  • Automatic Data Broker Removal or Data Broker Removal
    
    

If you don’t see any of these, your current plan may not include them, but you might still be able to upgrade or purchase PMA separately.

14. What does an orange exclamation mark on Privacy Monitor mean?

In some interfaces, you may see an orange exclamation icon or similar badge near the Privacy Monitor tile when:

• Setup is required and your first scan hasn’t run yet.
  
  
• A scan completed but found potential exposures that you haven’t reviewed.
  
  
• The system wants you to revisit your results after a period of time (for example when scan results are empty and only “scan‑less” data brokers are in scope).

If you see an orange exclamation:

1. Open the Privacy Monitor tile.
   
   
2. Follow any prompts to finish setup, run a scan, or review results.
   
   
3. Once you’ve completed the suggested actions, the icon will typically clear on the next refresh.