An apparatus and a method for managing data stored in a personal video recorder (PVR) allows multiple users to utilize the PVR and to individually set protection levels for programs (e.g. movies, music) stored on the PVR. The protection levels permit a user to specify whether or not a recorded program is playable by others, may be overwritten by others, or even will be visible on a menu listing the programs stored on the PVR. A user may also select a period of time, within which the recorded program will be write protected. Each user will have a unique user ID, which may include a password. Further, the user ID will allow the system to associate certain preset limitations to the specific user. For example, a user may only be able to view programming recorded on the PVR having a restriction rating below a preset threshold (e.g. PG-13).