"Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal," a new Netflix docuseries set to release on May 15, 2024, delves into the tumultuous history of the Ashley Madison website, known for promoting extramarital affairs. The Toronto-based platform was founded in 2002 by Darren Morgenstern and dramatically rose to claim over 37 million users worldwide by 2015. The company, under the leadership of CEO Noel Biderman, promoted itself as a confidential service for those seeking affairs, encapsulated by the tagline, "Life is short. Have an affair."
The site's promise of discretion and security was shattered in July 2015 when a group calling themselves "the Impact Team" hacked the site, threatening and eventually leaking highly sensitive data of millions of users, including personal preferences, names, and credit card details. This breach exposed not only everyday users but also public figures, leading to widespread personal and professional repercussions.
The aftermath of the hack highlighted severe flaws in Ashley Madison's privacy policies, as it was revealed that the company never truly deleted user data despite charging for such a service. The incident led to the resignation of CEO Noel Biderman and, in 2017, a $11.2 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by the victims.
The Netflix series, directed by Toby Paton, aims to provide a non-judgmental exploration of the motives behind user participation on the site and the broader implications of the breach on personal lives, without focusing solely on the ethical questions around infidelity. Interviews with affected users and their families are featured, looking to humanize the impact and explore the broader societal reactions to the scandal.
Despite this controversy, Ashley Madison has continued to operate, now claiming over 70 million users and boasting enhanced security measures under new leadership.