What is the story of Ashley Madison?

Ashley Madison is an online dating service originally designed with the specific aim of catering to married individuals or those in committed relationships seeking affairs. Launched in 2001, it gained notoriety due to its controversial focus on encouraging extramarital relationships. Its tagline, "Life is short. Have an affair," encapsulated this ethos and invited criticism and discussion about the morals and implications of such a service. In July 2015, Ashley Madison was thrust into the global spotlight when it suffered a massive data breach conducted by hackers. The personal details of millions of users, including names, email addresses, and details of their secret liaisons, were exposed, leading to widespread privacy concerns, public shaming, and even reportedly linked to cases of extortion and suicide. The breach not only challenged notions of digital security but also sparked a broader conversation about infidelity, privacy rights on the internet, and the moral responsibilities of online dating platforms. Despite this setback, Ashley Madison has continued to operate and claims to have grown its user base since the incident, suggesting a sustained demand for its services despite the risks involved.