User data on Ashley Madison, an online dating website marketing towards married individuals, has been published by hackers.
A 9.7 gigabyte file containing information on the users’ names, addresses and credit card details was released on Wednesday, technology website Wired reported.
The data was posted on the Dark Web, meaning it is accessible only via encrypted browsers.
Many of the platform’s users in Hong Kong may be affected by the leak. A search of the database by HKFP revealed hundreds of registrant’s email addresses ending with “.com.hk“. At least one user used a “.gov.hk” email address to register an account, though it appears the individual is a civil servant.
The hackers, who call themselves the Impact Team, asked Avid Life Media—which runs Ashley Madison and companion site Established Men—to shut down its websites in July. The group threatened to release user data if the company did not comply.
The Toronto-based firm owns the two sites as well as other hookup services.
“Avid Life Media has failed to take down Ashley Madison and Established Men. We have explained the fraud, deceit, and stupidity of ALM and their members. Now everyone gets to see their data,” hackers of the website announced on Wednesday.
Ashley Madison boasts itself as “the most famous name in infidelity and married dating.” Its slogan is “Life is short. Have an affair.” The website currently has almost 39 million “anonymous” users.
