What happened when Ashley Madison was hacked?

When Ashley Madison, a website known for facilitating extramarital affairs, was hacked in 2015, the event caused a substantial scandal. The hackers, identifying as "The Impact Team," accessed and released the personal information of millions of users, including names, email addresses, search histories, and credit card transaction records. This breach compromised user confidentiality, led to widespread embarrassment, and had severe consequences for individuals on the site. Relationships and reputations were at stake as the exposed data became fodder for public scrutiny and personal blackmail. The fallout included lawsuits and calls for enhanced internet security, while raising significant concerns about privacy and the safety of personal information online.