A "proper report" on Ashley Madison typically refers to the released in 2016 by the privacy commissioners of Canada and Australia following the site's massive 2015 data breach . This report detailed systemic failures in information security and deceptive business practices. 1. 2016 Joint Investigation Report Findings
: The parent company, Avid Life Media (ALM), lacked a comprehensive security framework, allowing hackers to access data of approximately 36 million user accounts .
: The site sold a "Full Delete" service for $19 that promised to permanently remove user data, but the investigation found that data was retained indefinitely .
: The company must implement a rigorous information security program and undergo third-party audits every two years for 20 years.
: The site currently claims to have over 70 million members globally.
The Official Investigation Report by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) concluded that:
: They are legally barred from misrepresenting the size of their user base or the strength of their security. 3. Current Status (April 2026)
: A total payment of $1.6 million (reduced from a much higher initial figure due to the company's inability to pay).