During the last week, it has been nearly impossible to avoid the news stories about the Ashley Madison hack. The infidelity site, which is based in Canada and was launched in 2001, operates with the slogan…
“Life is short – have an affair”.
Last month, the site was hacked by a group known as the ‘Impact Team’, who stole 9.7 gigabytes of customer data that they then threatened to release onto the web if the site was not immediately shut down.
Naturally, Ashley Madison remained online and the hackers therefore followed through with their threat, leaking the stolen data in tranches, which has included users’ names, email and home addresses and message history. Anyone can now access certain sites and carry out a search for their significant other.
First Ashley Madison divorce?
Over 32 million members of the site have had their details revealed by hackers. Of these, 1.2 million people are believed to be British and according to the press, the first British divorce case resulting from the leak is apparently soon to be underway.
That said, just locating the name or email of your other half linked to the site does not prove that adultery actually took place, as it requires confirmation of sexual intercourse between your spouse and a member of the opposite sex.
Those who do intend to issue divorce proceedings after making a discovery on the website can however allege ‘unreasonable behaviour’ instead, which is one of the five facts which can be used under English law to establish the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage.
Only time will now tell whether there will now be a flurry of applications for divorce following from the leak.
How Nelsons can help
If you need advice on divorce or separation, please contact our expert Family Law team on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form. The team will be happy to discuss your circumstances in more detail and give you information about the services that we can provide.