What is the Ashley Madison affair scandal?

The Ashley Madison affair scandal broke in July 2015 when a group called The Impact Team hacked into Ashley Madison, a Canadian online dating service marketed to individuals who are married or in relationships. The hackers stole the personal information of the site's users, including names, email addresses, home addresses, and payment details. The Impact Team threatened to release the data unless Avid Life Media, the owner of Ashley Madison, shut down the site. When their demands were not met, they released the sensitive information of over 30 million users in August 2015. This breach led to widespread public shaming and personal drama for those exposed, as well as several lawsuits against Avid Life Media. The scandal highlighted issues of privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of providing a platform for extramarital affairs.