Phoebe Gates Accused of Cookie‑Stalking—Her Hidden Recipe Exposed

Phoebe Gates, 23, co‑founder of the digital shopping assistant startup Phia, is in the spotlight after last week’s reports alleged the company may have engaged in cookie‑stuffing practices.

The accusations surfaced from leaked internal messages and claim that Phia’s “Auto Dropdropping.” The practice, if proven, would make it appear that shoppers were redirected to retailers when they were not, potentially allowing Phia to collect commissions illegally.

Phia’s response was that the feature was a software bug, but the company has since disabled it and is reviewing affected sales.

At Stanford University, Gates earned a degree in human biology, a program that does not require advanced computer‑science coursework. She also took an applied artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship class that reportedly sparked the idea for Phia.

Many former classmates reported that Gates was not known as a strong coder; some even laughed when the startup’s plans were first announced.

## Background & Context

Phoebe Gates graduated from Stanford in 2022, completing her studies a year early. Her major, human biology, did not mandate any computer‑science courses, and former classmates, she did not take advanced coding classes.

Gates’ partnership with Sophia Kianni began during their time at Stanford, where Kianni was pursuing a Science, Technology and Society degree. Together they founded Phia in 2023, positioning it as a multi‑billion‑dollar digital personal shopping assistant.

Phia’s business model relies on affiliate commissions from retailers for products recommended to shoppers. The company introduced an “Auto Dropkeep these cookies dropping.” These messages suggest the feature had been active for months before being labeled a bug.

Phia has denied the allegations, stating that the feature was unintended and has since been disabled.

After disabling the feature in July, Phia’s average daily revenue reportedly fell from about $80,000 to between $10,000 and $28,000. The company claims it is reviewing all affected sales and taking corrective action.

While Phia has not formally responded to the allegations publicly, insiders say the company is conducting an internal audit. The revenue dip underscores potential financial impact if the accusations hold true.

## Potential Legal Implications

If the cookie‑stuffing allegations are proven, Gates and Kianni could face civil lawsuits and financial penalties, though criminal charges appear unlikely. Legal experts note that violating affiliate program terms can lead to lawsuits from affected retailers and regulatory action.

Phia’s management may also be required to disclose the matter to investors and regulators.

The situation may prompt investigations by consumer protection agencies and the Federal Trade Commission, given the potential for deceptive marketing practices. The outcome will likely influence how tech startups manage compliance with affiliate program rules. Investors may reassess their exposure to Phia in light of these allegations.

Phoebe Gates’ future in the tech industry hinges on how the company addresses these claims. The startup’s leadership remains to be seen, and any legal resolution will set a precedent for other emerging tech firms.