What is the Ashley Madison data leak?

The Ashley Madison data leak was a significant cybersecurity breach that occurred in July 2015. Ashley Madison, a website designed to facilitate extramarital affairs, fell victim to hackers who called themselves the "Impact Team." The attackers breached the site's security measures and accessed sensitive user data, including names, email addresses, search histories, and transaction records for millions of users. The hackers threatened to release the information unless Ashley Madison and its sister sites were shut down. When their demands were not met, they published large tracts of stolen data on the dark web, leading to widespread privacy concerns, public humiliation for exposed users, and numerous legal actions. The leak not only exposed individuals to personal and professional repercussions but also raised critical discussions about internet privacy and data protection practices.