What is Ashley Madison and what is it known for?

Ashley Madison is an online dating service that was launched in 2001, specifically targeting individuals who are married or in a committed relationship and seeking an affair or extramarital relationship. The platform gained notoriety due to its controversial focus on promoting infidelity and has since become synonymous with the idea of discreet romantic encounters outside of traditional partnerships. Despite facing critical and ethical scrutiny, the site attracted millions of users worldwide. Ashley Madison's reputation was significantly tarnished by a high-profile data breach in 2015 when hackers accessed the personal information of its members, leading to widespread privacy concerns and bringing discussions of internet security and infidelity into the public discourse.