** Shares of marketing platform AppLovin APP.O fall 16% to $317 premarket

** Short seller Fuzzy Panda Research says it is short on APP, alleging the company steals data from Meta META.O

** "We believe these so-called dark ad practices explain the truth behind how AppLovin seems to have achieved its great growth", Fuzzy Panda Research says

** Another short seller, Culper Research also says it is short on co, alleging the company exploits "app permissions that enable advertisements themselves to force-feed silent, backdoor app installations directly onto users' phones"

** AppLovin did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment

** Earlier this month, APP had forecast Q1 revenue between $1.36 billion and $1.39 billion, surpassing analysts' estimates - which had sent its shares to an all-time high

** Co had reported Q4 advertising rev of $999 mln, rising 73% YoY

** Up to last close, APP shares are up more than 16% YTD after surging more than 700% in 2024

(Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru)

((Shashwat.Chauhan@thomsonreuters.com))