Hackers who stole the personal and private details of users of an adultery dating website claim to have released the data on to the internet.

In July, AshleyMadison.com - which specialises in adulterous relationships - was hacked by a group calling themselves Impact Team.

At the time, they threatened the website owners, Avid Life Media, saying they would release the data unless the website was taken down.

Now, Sky News reports that just less than 10Gb of the data, including user names, email addresses, passwords and bank details, has been published on the dark web.

The company, which also owns another site that was hacked called Established Men, said it is investigating and regards the hack as a criminal act.

It said the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the investigation.

About 37 million worldwide users were affected by the hack - including around one million from the UK with a possible 40,000 Irish users.

In a message the hackers said: "Time's up! Avid Life Media has failed to take down Ashley Madison and Established Men.

"We have explained the fraud, deceit, and stupidity, of ALM and their members.

"Now everyone gets to see their data."

The hackers, who said they targeted the company because they don't agree with how the sites are run, added: "Find someone you know in here. Keep in mind the site is a scam with thousands of fake female profiles...

"Find yourself in here? It was ALM that failed you and lied to you. Prosecute them and claim damages."

"I know for a fact that these people always release the databases"

A hacking expert who is familiar with the dark web told Sky News that the information that had been placed online looked credible.

The expert, named Vinnie, said: "I don't think they would be able to fake the size of this database. A friend of mine already has it – she's already going through the emails and stuff and it all looks very legit.

"I know for a fact that these people always release the databases. They usually release them if they can’t find a buyer or they have found a buyer."

A statement from Ashley Madison's owners Avid Life Media said: "Last month we were made aware of an attack to our systems.
"We immediately launched a full investigation utilising independent forensic experts and other security professionals to assist with determining the origin, nature, and scope of this attack.

"Our investigation is still ongoing and we are simultaneously cooperating fully with law enforcement investigations.

"This event is not an act of hacktivism, it is an act of criminality. It is an illegal action against the individual members of AshleyMadison.com, as well as any freethinking people who choose to engage in fully lawful online activities.

"The criminal, or criminals, involved in this act have appointed themselves as the moral judge, juror, and executioner, seeing fit to impose a personal notion of virtue on all of society.

"We will not sit idly by and allow these thieves to force their personal ideology on citizens around the world."

Chairperson of Digital Rights Ireland, TJ McIntyre, spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime about the data breach. He told Jonathan it is not surprising there are a high number of Irish users of the site, following claims there are 40,000 Irish members.

TJ started by telling Jonathan "there's an element of 'moral high ground' supposedly here on the part of the hackers", but said there will be a lot of innocent people victimised if the information is released: