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Ashley Madison hack: What it’s like to have your affair exposed

Published Sep 2nd, 2015 1:30PM EDT
Ashley Madison Hacking Victims Affairs
Image: AshleyMadison

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While many revelations surrounding the Ashley Madison hack are indeed funny — the fact that many users apparently spent their time flirting with fembots comes to mind — others are not. In fact, millions of people who used the website are now being subjected to blackmail, public scorn and other unpleasant things that are making their lives miserable.

RELATED: Ex-Ashley Madison spokesmodel drops bombshell allegations against cheating website

One anonymous user on Quora recently talked about the experience both he and his wife have had since the Ashley Madison hack. In particular, the two of them have become concerned with just how judgmental many have been about people on the website getting what they deserve and having their affairs (or attempted affairs) exposed to the world.

“Since the leak, it’s been pretty frustrating,” he writes. “There’s a lot of painting with the same brush that’s been going on here — you read a lot about how these cheaters deserved it. OK, maybe they did — the details of why people cheat are often somewhat mitigating, but sure, let’s say they deserved it. But we’ve both really resented the conversation — this was a totally consensual part of our relationship, and many of the people we spoke to on the site were (or claimed to be) in the same boat.”

There are plenty of reasons someone might seek to have an affair and sometimes they’re part of a completely consensual open marriage. And even if they aren’t, you do have to feel sorry for people who aren’t public figures and whose private lives have now been exposed for all the world to see.

Check out the rest of this Ashley Madison users’ experiences after the hack by clicking here.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.