A class-action lawsuit has been filed against AshleyMadison.com, the dating website for marrieds, on behalf of all Canadians subscribed to the service who had their personal information leaked this week in an online data dump as a result of a controversial hack.
Law firms Charney Lawyers and Sutts, Strosberg LLP have filed the lawsuit against Avid Dating Life, Inc. and Avid Life Media, Inc., the corporations who run the website, and are seeking $750 million in general damages and $10 million in punitive damages.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit is Eliot Shore, an Ottawa widower who joined the dating service “for a short time in search of companionship” but, according to the lawsuit press release, never went on a date.
“Presently, we have well over a dozen additional people we are in communication with about being involved,” said David Robins, a partner with Sutts, Strober LLP.
It’s too early to tell if the case could be headed for a trial or settlement, according to Robins, but the team is hoping to make a statement.
“Our clients are looking for compensation and access to justice for all affected,” said Robins. “Another major aspect of this is behaviour modification; (our clients) went to this website being promised anonymity and confidentiality, but their privacy has been violated. Corporations need to be accountable for what’s happened so that others can follow.”