TL;DR
Mozilla said it will discontinue Monitor Plus — its paid data-broker scanning and removal offering that used Onerep — with access ending Dec. 17, 2025 and prorated refunds for subscribers. The vendor-backed removal component will stop, while Firefox’s free Monitor breach-checking feature will remain available.
What happened
Mozilla announced it will shut down Monitor Plus, the paid add-on that scanned data-broker sites and used automated removals through Onerep, with the wind-down completing on Dec. 17, 2025. Subscribers will retain access during the wind-down and will receive prorated refunds for any unused portion after service termination. The organization said it evaluated options to keep Monitor Plus alive but faced difficulties meeting its vendor standards and coping with the realities of the data-broker marketplace. Mozilla confirmed it will continue offering its free Monitor breach-notification service, which is integrated into Firefox’s credential manager, and said it is concentrating on folding more privacy and security features into the browser. The move follows reporting by KrebsOnSecurity from March 14, 2024, which found that Onerep’s founder, Dimitiri Shelest, had created numerous people-search sites and retained an ownership stake in a still-active data broker called Nuwber.
Why it matters
- Browser companies that offer paid privacy add-ons can be exposed to vendor risks when third parties perform sensitive operations like automated data removal.
- Customers of paid removal services may lose access to promised scanning and removal features and will need refunds or alternatives.
- Mozilla is prioritizing in-browser, free privacy tools over outsourced removal services given challenges in the data-broker ecosystem.
- Reporting about vendor backgrounds can influence platform partnerships and user trust in privacy services.
Key facts
- Mozilla said it will discontinue Monitor Plus, which provided data-broker scans and automated removal via Onerep.
- The company set the wind-down end date for Dec. 17, 2025; subscribers will keep access during the period.
- After Dec. 17, 2025, current Monitor Plus subscribers will receive prorated refunds for unused time.
- Mozilla will retain its free Monitor breach service integrated into Firefox’s credential manager.
- Mozilla cited difficulties meeting its vendor standards and challenges within the data broker ecosystem as reasons for ending Monitor Plus.
- KrebsOnSecurity published an investigation on March 14, 2024, revealing that Onerep’s founder, Dimitiri Shelest, launched dozens of people-search services.
- That reporting also said Shelest acknowledged keeping an ownership stake in Nuwber, a data broker he founded in 2015.
- In March 2024 Mozilla had previously said it was winding down its collaboration with Onerep, yet promotion of Onerep continued until this announcement.
- The source article reporting these developments was published on Nov. 20, 2025.
What to watch next
- Whether Mozilla will select a replacement vendor or build comparable removal capabilities directly into Firefox — not confirmed in the source.
- How Monitor Plus subscribers will respond and whether third-party alternatives gain users as a result — not confirmed in the source.
- Any regulatory or enforcement actions concerning Onerep, Nuwber, or related people-search operations — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Data broker: A company that collects, aggregates and sells personal information about individuals to other businesses or services.
- People-search site: A website that compiles personal details—such as contact information, addresses, and background data—often from public records and other sources.
- Monitor Plus: A paid Mozilla offering that provided scans of data-broker sites and automated opt-out or removal attempts through a third-party service.
- Credential manager: A browser-integrated tool that stores and autofills login credentials and can include breach-notification features.
- Prorated refund: A partial refund calculated based on the unused portion of a subscription period after a service ends early.
Reader FAQ
When will Monitor Plus end?
The service wind-down completes on Dec. 17, 2025.
Will Mozilla keep any monitoring features?
Yes. Mozilla will continue offering its free Monitor breach service integrated with Firefox’s credential manager.
Will current Monitor Plus subscribers get refunds?
Yes. After the wind-down, subscribers will automatically receive a prorated refund for the unused portion.
Why is Mozilla ending the partnership with Onerep?
Mozilla said its vendor standards and the realities of the data-broker ecosystem made it difficult to reliably deliver expected value.
Was Onerep’s founder linked to other people-search services?
According to KrebsOnSecurity reporting, Dimitiri Shelest launched dozens of people-search services and acknowledged an ownership stake in a data broker called Nuwber.
November 20, 2025 34 Comments In March 2024, Mozilla said it was winding down its collaboration with Onerep — an identity protection service offered with the Firefox web browser that…
Sources
- Mozilla Says It’s Finally Done With Two-Faced Onerep
- Monitor Plus has shut down – what you need to know
- Mozilla finally cuts ties with controversial data removal …
- Mozilla Says It's Finally Done With Two-Faced Onerep
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