How did the Ashley Madison website operate?

The Ashley Madison website operated as a discreet dating platform primarily targeted towards individuals seeking extramarital affairs, or those looking for private sexual encounters outside their current relationships. Established in 2001, the site's slogan "Life is short. Have an affair" clearly indicated its service proposition. Users could create profiles, upload photos, and communicate with other members through private messages or chat functions. To ensure confidentiality and discretion, the site offered features like photo blurring and privacy settings to conceal identities. While women could use the platform for free, men were typically required to purchase credits to initiate conversations and engage with female members. Nonetheless, the site courted controversy and infamy when it suffered a massive data breach in 2015 that exposed the personal details of millions of its users.