App Developers’ Powerbroker Funded Primarily by Apple

An affiliation for app builders will get greater than half of its funding from the identical supply that offers a lot of its members cause to gripe — Apple.

The App Association, referred to as ACT, calls itself the “leading industry voice on the app economy for our members as well as policymakers.” Its members and consultants regularly testify earlier than Congress, and earlier this month, it despatched a letter to Congress outlining its high legislative priorities for the rest of the legislative session. 

Apple not solely funds the group, however it’s a background influencer that has a hand in forming the group’s coverage positions, Bloomberg reported Monday (Sept. 19), citing 4 unnamed sources who beforehand labored on the ACT. The former workers additionally stated the share of Apple’s assist of the group is way greater than 50%.

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The affiliation’s lobbying agenda intently aligns with Apple’s, Bloomberg reported, and it aligns even when it runs counter to what’s in the perfect pursuits of builders. 

Rick VanMeter, a former congressional aide and the top of the Coalition for App Fairness, a rival affiliation, informed Bloomberg that the ACT is a misleading group due to its relationship with Apple.

“When you pretend to be something that you’re not in order to make a point, that’s bad for the lawmaking process,” VanMeter stated, per the report. 

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ACT spokesperson Karen Groppe confirmed to PYMNTS that greater than 50% of the group’s funding comes from Apple, however she declined to offer a breakdown of the place the remainder of the assist comes from. The affiliation’s web site signifies further funding comes from Verizon, Intel, AT&T and Verisign.

“Our members drive the organization’s policy and legislative agenda,” she stated.

“In 2020, Apple’s commitment contributed more than 50% of the App Association’s sponsorship revenue, making their support one of many contributors for the year,” Groppe added.

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