The Netflix documentary on the Ashley Madison data breach offers a relevant perspective on current age verification laws. In the wake of the scandal, which exposed the private information of millions, there has been an increased focus on online privacy and security.

Current age verification laws aim to protect minors from accessing adult content, ensuring that websites responsibly manage user data. This heightened scrutiny of data security and privacy parallels the issues highlighted by the Ashley Madison hack, emphasizing the need for robust measures to safeguard personal information and prevent unauthorized access. The documentary underscores the broader implications of digital accountability and the importance of maintaining user privacy in an era of pervasive online exposure.

Netflix’s latest documentary revisits the Ashley Madison scandal, shedding light on the broad lack of empathy for the millions of users exposed in the notorious 2015 hack. Ashley Madison, a website launched in 2002 to facilitate extramarital affairs, had always courted controversy with its provocative advertising and questionable business practices. The company behind it, Avid Life Media, faced persistent rumors of unscrupulous and exploitative behavior.

In July 2015, a hacker group calling themselves the Impact Team infiltrated Ashley Madison’s databases, exposing the personal information of 37 million users. The hackers framed their actions as a form of vigilante justice, targeting both the unprincipled Avid Life Media and the users they labeled as “cheating dirtbags.” This characterization received widespread acceptance, with little sympathy extended to the victims.

As the scandal unfolded, media coverage primarily focused on the cautionary aspect of the breach. Outlets like The Washington Post highlighted the lack of online privacy, while WIRED explored data security implications. The breach became fodder for journalists and vigilantes alike, leading to the public exposure of individuals, regardless of their actual use or intent on the site. High-profile figures, such as Josh Duggar, were outed by media like Gawker, exacerbating the public spectacle.

In the years since the internet has evolved significantly. Social media has decentralized content, and the potential for viral exposure has grown.

Platforms like TikTok have seen a rise in content dedicated to exposing cheaters, underscoring the inescapable nature of digital vigilantism. Figures like “West Elm Caleb,” a casual dater, have found themselves in the spotlight for their personal lives, reflecting a cultural shift towards public shaming.

The documentary raises critical questions about privacy and the morality of exposing personal missteps. Cheating, undeniably a breach of trust, involves a violation primarily felt by the cheated partner, not the public. The Ashley Madison hack resulted in severe consequences, including suicides linked to the exposure, highlighting the disproportionate and tragic outcomes of such public shaming.

Interestingly, the seeds of backlash against this kind of exposure were already present during the scandal. Gawker Media faced internal dissent over a post outing a closeted media executive, leading founder Nick Denton to retract the story and express regret. Denton’s acknowledgment that private lives should not be subjected to public scrutiny is a sentiment that resonates strongly in today’s climate.

As viewers engage with the Netflix documentary, there is hope that they will gain a deeper understanding of the human aspect of the scandal. The individuals exposed in the hack were not mere caricatures of infidelity but flawed humans who made poor choices. Recognizing this complexity could foster a more empathetic approach to the private failings of others, urging a shift away from the ruthless public shaming that has become all too common.

The Ashley Madison scandal serves as a potent reminder of the devastating impact of digital vigilantism and the need to balance accountability with empathy. As the documentary highlights these lessons, it encourages viewers to reflect on the implications of exposing private lives in an increasingly connected world.