Ashley Madison CEO steps down in wake of hacking

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 1, 2014, file photo, Noel Biderman, chief executive of Avid Life Media Inc., which operates AshleyMadison.com., poses by a hotel room window overlooking the Imperial Palace grounds during a photo session in Tokyo. 

NEW YORK (AP) — The CEO of adultery website Ashley Madison is stepping down in the wake of the massive breach of the company's computer systems and outing of millions of its members.

Avid Life Media Inc., Ashley Madison's parent company, says Noel Biderman's departure is effective immediately and was a mutual decision.

"This change is in the best interest of the company and allows us to continue to provide support to our members and dedicated employees," Avid Life's statement reads. "We are steadfast in our commitment to our customer base."

Biderman didn't immediately return an email sent to his work account seeking comment.

Toronto-based Avid Life's statement went on to say that it's "actively adjusting" to the fallout from the hacking and continues to provide access to its services. The company, which has offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the hackers, adds that it continues to cooperate with international law enforcement in their investigations.

Hackers originally breached Avid Life's systems in July and then posted the information online a month later after the company didn't comply with their demands to shut down.

Ashley Madison, whose slogan is "Life is short. Have an affair," purports to have nearly 40 million members.