Social commentator Bettina Arndt has angrily denied she is a paid spruiker for the compromised dating website Ashley Madison, now at the centre of one of the most embarrassing data breaches in web history.
The hack of the website and the subsequent data dump last week of names and details of the site's 37 million subscribers seeking clandestine affairs has caused a storm of controversy over internet privacy, the dangers of posting personal data and the morality of people seeking affairs over the internet.
Now the company's marketing tactics are also drawing attention. Over the past few months, journalists in newsrooms have been receiving LinkedIn messages from a PR firm, Milk Kiddle, offering angles on stories about Ashley Madison.
One said: "I have a fascinating compilation of men who use the affairs website to meet women - and have made conscious decisions not to be in relationships. Opting to remain single, they use the service for casual sex. We also have Bettina Arndt who can comment on affairs and the role of this type of service for men and women, Cheers."
But Arndt, a commentator on sexual politics and mores, was not on the payroll of either the PR firm or Ashley Madison. While Arndt says she has been "more nuanced" about the Ashley Madison website in her articles, she said: "I'm outraged to find out that my name has been used in this way. I have no association with them. The only thing I have done is write about the role of affairs and suggest that one way to have one was via this site."
Shereen Kiddle said the message to journalists via LinkedIn was sent some time ago - after Arndt had written an article and referred to the "role" of affairs generally and mentioned Ashley Madison as one option.
"My sincere apologies for the use of 'we also have', which insinuates AM have access to Bettina. The reference was, as an independent writer, someone you may use for professional comment."
