After a group of hackers posted a sampling user data stolen from AshleyMadison.com, the parent company of the dating site for cheaters says it’s secured all customer information that was allegedly leaked.
Avid Life Media told Business Insider that ALM was working to delete the leaked data and had already “successfully removed all posts related to this incident as well as all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) about our users published online.”
The leaked data included users’ real names and addresses, as well as information about ALM’s internal servers, and sensitive company data like bank accounts and salaries. ALM didn’t confirm how much of that exposed information was legitimate, but hackers claimed they had accessed the full database of around 40 million accounts from Ashley Madison, along with other ALM sites like Cougar Life and Established Men.
ALM says it used the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and various other unspecified techniques to remove the data, but wouldn’t give BI more details as to how it removed the content. It added that it’s continuing to work with law enforcement and “forensics security experts” to find the root of the breach.
Hackers reportedly blamed the breach on the company’s failed promise to permanently delete users’ information when they opted for a $19 “full delete” service. The hackers called that feature a “complete lie,” saying it doesn’t actually delete paying customers’ information.
ALM denied that allegation in a statement to Business Insider.
Contrary to current media reports, and based on accusations posted online by a cyber criminal, the ‘paid delete’ option offered by AshleyMadison.com does in fact remove all information related to a member’s profile and communications activity.
The process involves a hard-delete of a requesting user’s profile, including the removal of posted pictures and all messages sent to other system users’ email boxes. This option was developed due to specific member requests for just such a service, and designed based on their feedback.
Ashley Madison says it has removed its customers’ leaked data from the internet [Business Insider]
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist