What is a data broker?
Data brokers gather information about consumers from a variety of sources, and people search sites (a type of data broker) like Whitepages or Spokeo make that information searchable on their websites.
Privacy Monitor
Your address and phone number can be easily found on the web. We scan common people-search sites to find your information, and help you request to opt out.
What is Privacy Monitor?
Personal information—such as your address, phone number, or date of birth—is legally available for free or for sale on many public sites, called data broker or people-search sites.
Once you click on Privacy Monitor, we will scan popular data broker sites for your personal info, so you can request to opt out with the data broker, giving you greater control over your online privacy.
Sources for the information can include:
This data is all put together, or aggregated, and connected to individuals’ profiles on the site. Depending on the site, visitors may be able to look up some information for free, and pay for additional information.
Why is my address on the internet?
Anybody could look up my information?
White pages removal: I want to be unlisted!
Security, identity and online privacy concerns
“Historically, privacy was almost implicit, because it was hard to find and gather information.” – Bill Gatesi
With so much information on individuals so easily available on people search sites, it might not only be a concern regarding online privacy, but also for the potential use of that information as a security or identity theft concern:
Security
While it’s not good practice, many people use personal information as passwords, like a child’s name or an anniversary date. If that information is readily accessible on a people search site, someone could try to use it to log in to online accounts.
Identity theft
Identity thieves need to gather pieces of information on a person to commit identity theft. Easy-to-find people search sites provide a convenient profile of information that could include some of those pieces.
i Source
Screen is simulated and subject to change.
How can I remove my personal information from people search sites?
Privacy Monitor can help
With Privacy Monitor, popular data broker sites are scanned for personal info, so members can request to opt out. All in one place, you can see a list of sites where your information is displayed, find out how to opt out, review your opt-out requests, and revisit where your information is found every three months.
Privacy Monitor Assistant
Let us do the work for you. Removing your personal information from many sites can be time consuming. The add-on Privacy Monitor Assistant service will submit opt-out requests on your behalf.
How Privacy Monitor works
Privacy Monitor
Privacy Monitor is available in Norton 360 with LifeLock plans.
Our Support Agents will request removal of your info for you with our Privacy Monitor Assistant service.
Frequently asked questions
Information on data broker or people search sites may include:
- Addresses (past and current)
- Phone numbers
- Birthdates
- Names and ages of relatives
- Neighbors
- Email addresses
- Social media accounts (including dating profiles)
- Education level
- Hobbies and interests
- Employment information
- Estimated salary
- Investments
- Marriage and divorce records
- Criminal records
Note: Sometimes results won’t be exact matches. This could happen if you have a common name, for instance. If a result in Privacy Monitor is not you, or only lists partial correct information, you can click the “Not Me” button to remove it from your results list.
Privacy Monitor Assistant
Let us do the work for you
Do you want to opt out of having your information on people search sites, but don’t have time to do it yourself?
As a Norton member with an eligible plan, you can add on the Privacy Monitor Assistant service and our Member Services & Support team can submit the opt-out requests on your behalf.
To get Privacy Monitor Assistant, visit the Privacy Monitor feature in the Member Portal to see how to sign up.
