ON
← Back to feed
Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time, app also developed by Slovenian company
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsProgressive9 days ago

Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time, app also developed by Slovenian company

The article reports on allegations against Phia, a shopping assistant app developed by Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, and her friend Sophia Kianni. The app was accused of illegally collecting commissions for purchases that never occurred through a practice known as 'cookie stuffing.' Initially, the company claimed this was a coding error, but a subsequent investigation by Bloomberg revealed intentional manipulation. The Slovenian-owned company Povio was involved in the development of Phia. Bloomberg uncovered evidence that the controversial features were implemented as early as December and included major retailers like Nike, Gap, and Nordstrom. Internal financial data showed these tactics contributed significantly to the company’s revenue, with daily earnings dropping by approximately $80,000 after the removal of these functions. A representative of Phia stated that the decline was due to disabling most revenue-generating measures, not just the disputed features. Legal expert Ariel Givner noted that such practices in the U.S. could constitute federal fraud, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Phoebe Gates, daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, faces potential prison time after allegations surfaced that her company Phia engaged in illegal practices involving fake commission claims. The controversy centers around Phia’s online shopping assistant, which allegedly collected commissions for purchases that never occurred. The company initially claimed the issue was due to a coding error, but an investigation by Bloomberg revealed deliberate tactics. Phia's application, developed with the help of a Slovenian firm named Povio, has sparked legal scrutiny over its methods. Phia, founded by Phoebe Gates and her friend Sophia Kianni, offers a tool designed to help users find the lowest prices for clothing and fashion accessories. Available as both an app and a browser extension, the service scans for discount codes during checkout and helps customers save money. When a user utilizes Phia’s assistance, the company receives a commission from the retailer for facilitating the sale. To confirm usage, Phia leaves a unique tracking cookie in the customer’s browser. However, according to Bloomberg, Phia inserted its cookie into the browser even when its extension wasn’t used for the purchase or when similar services from competitors were employed. Initially, the company attributed this to a coding mistake discovered only after being contacted by Bloomberg. Unnamed sources later told Bloomberg that Gates and Kianni were aware of these problematic features. Internal communications suggest the strategy was implemented as early as December or earlier, including transactions on major retailers such as Nike, Gap, and Nordstrom. A review of Phia’s source code confirmed the existence of these functions. The technique, known as “cookie stuffing,” has contributed significantly to Phia’s revenue. According to data obtained by Bloomberg, these tactics accounted for a substantial portion of the company’s income. After Phia disabled these features in early July, average daily earnings dropped by approximately $80,000, ranging between $10,000 and $28,000. A spokesperson for Phia explained that the decline was partly due to the disabling of many revenue-generating tools, not just the disputed functions. They also stated that the company would continue offering discounts to customers. American attorney Ariel Givner noted on social media platform X that Phia’s alleged actions could constitute federal fraud under U.S. law. She emphasized that the maximum penalty for such conduct could be up to 20 years in prison. Phia collaborated with Povio, a Slovenian-based tech firm co-founded by Slovenians Matevž Petek and Jugoslav Petković. Based in Silicon Valley, Povio has had a branch in Celje since 2018. On its website, Povio praised its collaboration with Phia, stating that together they developed an iOS app to enhance the mobile experience for users seeking secondhand fashion. The app, built with iOS developers and quality assurance experts, aimed to provide a seamless shopping experience. Povio, based in Celje, reported revenues of €1.23 million and a net profit of nearly €51,700 in the previous year, employing around 14 staff members, according to Ebonitete. The firm provides technological solutions to numerous companies, including collaborations with automotive giant Volkswagen, tennis star Serena Williams, and the Slovenian tech startup Chipolo, which develops item-finding apps. Despite requests for comment from STA, Povio has yet to respond. The case highlights the intersection of technology, commerce, and legal accountability, raising questions about the ethical boundaries of digital marketing and consumer protection. As investigations continue, the implications for both Phia and its Slovenian partner remain uncertain.

5 reports

Večer logoVečerIndependent🔒CenterFactual 95Objective 759 days ago
Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time over app co-developed by Slovenian firm

Podjetje Phia, razvijeno s podporo hčeri Billa Gatesa, Phoebe Gates, je bilo obtočeno zaradi nezakonite prakse 'cookie stuffing', pri kateri je vstavljal posebne piškote v brskalniki uporabnikov, čeprav ni bilo njegove razširitev uporabljenega pri nakupih. Mediji so razkrili, da so te tehnike prispevale k znatnemu prihodku podjetja, kar je vodilo do pregleda in odkritja namernega delovanja. Preiskava Bloomberga je pokazala, da so te funkcije bili vključeni v januar ali prej, in da so vključevali nakupe na spletnih straneh več trgovcev. Ameriška pravnica je opozorila, da se ta praksa v ZDA obravnava kot kaznivo dejanje goljufije, kar lahko vodi do 20-letnega zapora.

Bias read (Center): Artikel predstavi dejstva o nezakoniti praksi podjetja Phia brez izpostavljanja političnih stališč. Ključna tema je pravno stanje in možna sankcija, kar je neutralno predstavljeno. Čeprav je podjetje v zvezi s Bill Gatesom, ni artikel zelo polemiziran ali zaposlan v politično zlorabo. Predstavitve v

Why factuality (95): This article provides accurate details about the alleged misconduct by Phia, including the involvement of Phoebe Gates, the nature of the application, and the role of the Slovenian company Povio. It also references the Bloomberg investigation and the internal discussions within the company. Some par

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the story in a sensational manner, using phrases like 'Hčeri Billa Gatesa grozi zapor' (Bill Gates’ daughter threatened with prison) and focusing on the connection to Bill Gates. It lacks balance by not providing counterpoints or clarifications from the company or legal experts.

Delo logoDeloIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 95Objective 759 days ago
Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time, app also developed by Slovenian company

Phia, nakupovalni pomočnik, ki ga razvija Phoebe Gates, hčerka Bill Gatesa, je bil obtočen zaradi nezakonite pobire provizij za nakupe, ki se v resnici niso zgodili. Preiskava Bloomberg-a je pokazala, da je podjetje namerno delovalo, kar je povzelo obtočenje. Aplikacijo je razvilo tudi slovensko podjetje Povio, ki je sodelovalo z Phio v razvoju aplikacije za iOS. Povio, ki ima sedež v Siliciji, ima podružnico v Celju in sodeluje z različnimi podjetji, vključvale Volkswagen in Chipolo. Bloomberg je razkril, da je Phia vstavila svoj piškotek med postopkom spletnega plačila, čeprav ni bila njena razširitev uporabljena. Neimenovani viri so razkrili, da sta Gates in njegova prijateljica Kianni seznanjeni s temi spornimi funkcijami, ki so bili uvedeni v decemberu ali ranljše.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikel opisuje nezakonito dejanje podjetja Phia, ki je povezano z znanimi lastniki, in poudarja preiskavo Bloomberg-a, ki je pokazala namerno delovanje. Ključna tema je pravno stanje in možna politična implicacija glede vpliva velikih podjetij. Slog poudarja nezakonite dejavnosti in povezuje podjet

Why factuality (95): The article accurately describes the allegations against Phia, including the collection of commissions for non-existent purchases, the involvement of Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, and the role of the Slovenian company Povio. It also includes specific financial data about Povio and references the B

Why objectivity (75): The article has a biased tone, emphasizing the potential legal consequences for Phoebe Gates and highlighting her connection to Bill Gates. It presents the allegations as confirmed facts without clearly distinguishing between reported claims and unverified assertions.

24ur (POP TV) logo24ur (POP TV)IndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 759 days ago
Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time over shopping app

The article discusses a controversy surrounding the startup Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and her friend Sophia Kianni. The company developed a shopping assistant app that helps users find the lowest prices for clothing and fashion accessories. However, it was revealed that Phia inserted tracking cookies into browsers even when its extension wasn't used, a practice known as 'cookie stuffing.' This led to significant revenue gains but raised legal concerns. Bloomberg reported that these practices were part of a strategy implemented as early as December, involving major retailers like Nike, Gap, and Nordstrom. Internal code reviews confirmed the existence of these functions. Revenue dropped significantly after Phia disabled these features in July. Legal expert Ariel Givner stated this could be considered federal fraud in the U.S., potentially leading to up to 20 years in prison. The article also mentions collaboration between Phia and another Slovenian-based startup, Povio, which has offices in both Silicon Valley and Celje.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue around corporate accountability and potential legal violations, emphasizing the ethical implications of Phia's actions. It highlights the involvement of high-profile individuals like Bill Gates' daughter and references potential criminal charges, suggesting a critical,左翼

Why factuality (95): The article accurately conveys the allegations against Phia, including the use of cookie-stuffing techniques, the involvement of Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, and the role of the Slovenian company Povio. It references the Bloomberg investigation and mentions the financial impact of these practices

Why objectivity (75): The article uses emotionally charged language and focuses on the potential legal consequences for Phoebe Gates. It emphasizes the connection to Bill Gates and presents the allegations as confirmed wrongdoing without providing a balanced perspective or mentioning any defense from the company.

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 759 days ago
Bill Gates' daughter cheated with fake commissions?!

The online shopping assistant Phia, developed by Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, and her friend Sophia Kianni, has been accused of illegally collecting commissions for purchases that never occurred. The service uses cookies to track user activity during online transactions, but Bloomberg discovered that Phia inserted its cookie into browsers even when its extension wasn’t used or when competing services were employed. This practice, known as 'cookie stuffing,' is illegal under U.S. federal law and could result in up to 20 years in prison. The company initially claimed this was a coding error, but internal discussions suggest the practice began earlier and involved major retailers like Nike, Gap, and Nordstrom. After disabling these functions in early July, the company’s daily revenue dropped significantly, though it claims this was due to broader changes in its revenue strategies.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights unethical practices involving a prominent figure (Bill Gates’ daughter), potential legal violations, and implications for consumer rights. It frames the actions as deceptive and illegal, emphasizing the severity of the offense and referencing U.S. federal laws. The tone critic

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the allegations against Phia, including the collection of commissions for non-existent purchases, the involvement of Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, and the role of the Slovenian company Povio. It references the Bloomberg investigation and mentions the internal discuss

Why objectivity (75): The article uses sensationalist language, such as 'goljufala' (cheated), and focuses on the connection to Bill Gates. It presents the allegations as confirmed facts without providing a balanced view or considering the company’s explanation of the issue as an error.

Žurnal24 logoŽurnal24IndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 759 days ago
Bill Gates' daughter faces jail time, app also developed by Slovenian company

The article reports on allegations against Phia, a shopping assistant app developed by Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, and her friend Sophia Kianni. The app was accused of illegally collecting commissions for purchases that never occurred through a practice known as 'cookie stuffing.' Initially, the company claimed this was a coding error, but a subsequent investigation by Bloomberg revealed intentional manipulation. The Slovenian-owned company Povio was involved in the development of Phia. Bloomberg uncovered evidence that the controversial features were implemented as early as December and included major retailers like Nike, Gap, and Nordstrom. Internal financial data showed these tactics contributed significantly to the company’s revenue, with daily earnings dropping by approximately $80,000 after the removal of these functions. A representative of Phia stated that the decline was due to disabling most revenue-generating measures, not just the disputed features. Legal expert Ariel Givner noted that such practices in the U.S. could constitute federal fraud, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of Phia as deliberate fraudulent behavior rather than mere technical errors, emphasizing the legal implications and potential criminal penalties. It highlights the involvement of a high-profile individual (Phoebe Gates) and references internal communications and a well

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the allegations against Phia, including the claim that it collected commissions for non-existent purchases and the involvement of Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni as founders. It also mentions the role of the Slovenian company Povio and references the Bloomberg investiga

Why objectivity (75): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'grozi zapor' (threatened with prison) and frames the situation as a scandal involving Bill Gates’ daughter. While it cites Bloomberg’s findings, it leans toward presenting the information as confirmed wrongdoing rather than emphasizing the lack

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories