PARIS, July 25 (Reuters) - France's antitrust watchdog on Tuesday said it had issued a statement of objection against Apple (AAPL.O), citing concerns the U.S. technology company could have used "discriminatory and non-transparent conditions" for using user data for advertising purposes on iPhones. The statement triggers a proper antitrust procedure during which the company will be able to express its point of view, the watchdog said. The mechanism "gives users more control by requiring all apps to ask permission before tracking them," Apple said in an e-mailed statement, adding that it will "continue to engage constructively" with the French antitrust regulator. The four associations - IAB France, MMAF, SRI and UDECAM - said the changes brought by Apple did not meet European Union privacy rules, which Apple denies. Reporting by Tassilo Hummel and Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Apple, Tassilo Hummel, Mathieu Rosemain, Susan Fenton, Mark Porter Organizations: Apple, ., IAB, SRI, Thomson Locations: IAB France, MMAF