The human impact

The data breach has many victims directly and indirectly, and the human toll is getting bigger and bigger. Dealing with infidelity is a traumatic experience in a relationship for both partners. But the magnitude of the traumatic experience is greatly intensified when couples are dealing with infidelity in the public.

            After the data leak, there have been many websites created in which you can search people by using their names, addresses, credit cards, and email addresses to gain information of their usage of Ashley Madison and their possible infidelity.

            In Toronto, there have been two possible suicides that have been directly linked to the Ashley Madison hack (2015, Tripwire). There could also be many more other suicides and deaths that have not been reported or directly linked, but that are due to the hack.

            The hack has also revealed famous and “high-profile” users to the public. This includes NFL-Stars, politicians, and TV and movie stars. Some of the people include Ashley Madison founder and CEO Noel Biderman; Dan Loed, a hedge fund founder and prolific donor to conservative causes; Hunter Biden, the younger son of Vice President Joe Biden; Ryan Heck, a Baton Rouge councilman who is running for state representative; Jionni LaValle, a reality star and husband to Jersey Shore’s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (2015, Slant News). Lastly, Josh Dugger is the most famous hypocrite to be ousted by the hack. He is the son of the evangelists Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger (19 Kids & Counting show on TLC), and was very outspoken on fidelity and family values.

            It doesn’t matter if you are a famous or “high-profile”, or just the average person down the block, your data should be kept secure. There are many different impacts in our society from shame, suicides, marriage breakdowns, deaths, and monetary loss.   

 

(2015, September 1). The Ashley Madison Hack – A Timeline [News Post]. Retrieved from http://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/cyber-security/the-ashley-madison-hack-a-timeline/

(2015, September 30). 7 high profile people who got exposed by the Ashley Madison hack [News Post]. Retrieved from https://www.slantnews.com/story/2015-08-30-7-high-profile-people-who-got-exposed-by-the-ashley-madison-hack