** 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))
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