Phia Under Fire: AI Shopping App Co-Founded by Phoebe Gates Accused of "Cookie Stuffing"

In the high-stakes world of e-commerce technology, transparency and consumer trust are the bedrock of success. However, Phia—a buzzy, AI-powered shopping application co-founded by Phoebe Gates, the daughter of Microsoft…

The "Cookie Stuffing" Controversy: How Phia, the Startup Backed by Silicon Valley Royalty, Faces Scrutiny Over Affiliate Practices

By TechCrunch Editorial Staff Updated: July 10, 2026 In the high-stakes world of e-commerce technology, reputation is the most valuable currency. For Phia, the shopping-focused startup co-founded by Phoebe Gates—daughter…

The Golden Crust Revolution: 7-Eleven Japan Unveils Innovative “Melon Pan” Cookie

The Japanese convenience store landscape—often referred to as konbini—is currently undergoing a period of intense culinary experimentation. Leading this charge is 7-Eleven Japan, which has spent the summer of 2026…

Beyond the Cookie: Why Real-Time Mindsets Are Replacing Static Profiles in Digital Advertising

For two decades, the digital advertising ecosystem has been defined by the pursuit of the "perfect profile." Armed with third-party cookies and rigid demographic segments, marketers spent billions attempting to…

Beyond the Cookie: Why Carrier Data is the New Foundation for Privacy-First Advertising

By Editorial Staff | June 18, 2026 For the better part of the last decade, the advertising technology industry has been defined by a narrative of "subtraction." As global privacy…

The Great Convenience Store Cookie Clash: A Detailed Analysis of Japan’s Latest Sweet Rivalry

In the hyper-competitive landscape of Japan’s konbini (convenience store) sector, seasonal campaigns and limited-edition product launches serve as the primary battlefield for customer loyalty. Currently, the industry is witnessing a…

The eFortune Cookie: How a Pocket-Sized ESP32 Project is Modernizing Digital Divination

In the rapidly evolving world of DIY electronics, the ESP32 microcontroller has long served as the backbone for ambitious internet-of-things (IoT) projects. However, a recent development by hardware enthusiast "gokux"…

Beyond the Cookie: The Evolution of Contextual Intelligence in Programmatic Advertising

By Ivy Liu May 14, 2026 In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital advertising, the programmatic ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental shift. For years, the industry has operated under a…