Why did Noel Biderman, the founder of Ashley Madison, face controversy?

Noel Biderman, the founder of Ashley Madison, faced controversy because he created a website that was specifically designed to facilitate extramarital affairs. Ashley Madison's business model, marketed with the slogan "Life is short. Have an affair," ignited public debate over the morality and impact of such a service. Critics argued that it actively encouraged dishonesty and infidelity, undermining the institution of marriage and potentially causing emotional harm to unknowing spouses. The website's user base was predominantly individuals seeking confidential affairs which, when coupled with the company's claims of complete privacy, led to a heightened scandal when hackers breached Ashley Madison's database in 2015. This breach compromised the personal information of millions of users, further intensifying the controversy around Biderman's business practices and questioning the ethical implications of profiting from secrecy and betrayal.