What is Ashley Madison, and what is it known for?

Ashley Madison is an online dating platform tailored specifically towards individuals who are married or in a committed relationship, seeking discreet extramarital affairs. It is a service that operates under the slogan "Life is short. Have an affair," targeting users who seek confidential romantic encounters outside of their primary relationships. The site gained significant notoriety in July 2015 when it was the victim of a data breach by hackers who threatened to release user information unless the service was shut down. The subsequent leak exposed the personal data of millions of users, which caused public outcry and personal crises for those involved, as well as drawing widespread attention to issues of cybersecurity and privacy in the digital age.