BERLIN, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The German antitrust

authority has notified Apple ( AAPL ) of concerns regarding the

iPhone maker's app tracking tool, which could violate rules for

large tech companies, the regulator said in a statement on

Thursday.

The Federal Cartel Office's preliminary assessment follows a

three-year investigation into Apple's ( AAPL ) App Tracking Transparency

feature, which allows users to block advertisers from tracking

them across different applications.

"Apple ( AAPL ) now has the opportunity to respond to the

allegations," the office said.

The U.S. tech giant has said the feature allows users to

control their privacy but has drawn criticism from Meta

Platforms ( META ), app developers and startups whose business models

rely on advertising tracking.

(Reporting by Rachel More in Berlin and Foo Yun Chee in

Brussels, editing by Thomas Seythal)