Who was exposed in the Ashley Madison data breach?

The Ashley Madison data breach, which took place in July 2015, involved the exposure of personal information belonging to users of the Ashley Madison website, a platform marketed to individuals looking to engage in extramarital affairs. The breach affected approximately 32 million accounts, revealing sensitive data such as names, email addresses, credit card information, and explicit personal preferences of the site's members. The impact was far-reaching and devastating for many individuals as it not only compromised their privacy but also exposed them to public scrutiny, personal distress, and potential blackmail. The situation underscored significant issues around cybersecurity and the protection of personal data on digital platforms.