Phia Shopping App Accused of Cookie Stuffing to Steal Affiliate Credits

Phia, a shopping startup co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, faces accusations of using cookie stuffing to claim affiliate commissions on purchases it did not help generate.

The company, founded in 2025, has raised more than 40 million dollars and attracted investors including Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber.

How Cookie Stuffing Works in Affiliate Marketing

Phia operates as a browser extension that finds lower prices and discount codes for users across retailers.

Reports indicate the app opened background tabs to override other affiliate codes and insert its own during checkout.

This practice allegedly allowed Phia to earn commissions even when users arrived through other sites like Wirecutter.

Phia was suspended from the Impact.com affiliate platform following the allegations.

A spokesperson for Phia told investigators that fixes were implemented, and a follow-up check confirmed the issue was resolved.

Why This Matters for Everyday Shoppers and the Industry

Such tactics erode trust in helpful shopping tools that many consumers rely on for deals.

The incident echoes ongoing lawsuits against tools like Honey, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in affiliate systems.

Retailers may face higher costs from disputed commissions, potentially raising prices for buyers.

In the future, stricter platform rules and better detection tech could reshape how browser extensions operate.

This case shows why users should verify extension claims before sharing purchase data.