BRUSSELS, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) on Wednesday

hit out at Meta Platforms ( META ), saying its numerous requests

to access the iPhone maker's software tools to its devices could

impact users' privacy and security, underscoring the intense

rivalry between the two tech giants.

Under the European Union's landmark Digital Markets Act that

took effect last year, Apple ( AAPL ) must allow rivals and app

developers to inter-operate with its own services or risk a fine

of as much as 10% of its global annual turnover.

Meta has made 15 interoperability requests thus far, more

than any other company, for potentially far-reaching access to

Apple's ( AAPL ) technology stack that could affect users' privacy and

security, the latter said in a report.