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Phoebe Gates accused of cookie stuffing: potential 20-year prison sentence

Phoebe Gates, the 23-year-old daughter of Bill Gates, is accused of cookie stuffing through her startup Phia, which may lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years.

14 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Phoebe Gates accused of cookie stuffing: potential 20-year prison sentence — Archive photoPhoto: batmoo · Flickr · BY-SA

Phoebe Gates, the daughter of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is facing allegations of involvement in a controversial practice known as cookie stuffing. This reportedly occurred through her shopping app Phia, which allegedly gained illegal commissions on online purchases without any involvement in the sales.

According to an investigation by Bloomberg, Gates' startup may have generated income for several months by employing this fraudulent technique. Cookie stuffing involves placing cookies on users' devices without their knowledge, allowing commissions on purchases to be earned without any legitimate contribution to the sale.

In the United States, cookie stuffing is considered wire fraud, potentially leading to severe legal consequences. The possible penalty for this practice can reach up to 20 years in prison, depending on the severity of the charges and the outcome of legal proceedings.

The accusations have sparked a public debate about the ethics of such practices within the startup world. Critics point out that these types of techniques are harmful to the integrity of online shopping and can damage the reputation of involved companies.

Phia is a relatively new player in the e-commerce sector, but the allegations could undermine trust in the company and its founder, Phoebe Gates. As the investigation continues, it remains unclear how this will affect the future of the app.

The allegations serve as a call for greater attention to the regulation of affiliate marketing and the ways technology can be misused. In the meantime, experts view cookie stuffing as a topic that requires stricter regulation to protect consumers.

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