To put this in perspective,  this is like your trade union depending on money from your employer to survive.

To be fair Apple isn't a member of the association, but apparently, it plays a dominant behind-the-scenes role in shaping the group's policy positions.

Four whistleblowers say that the association's lobbying agenda track closely with Apple's -- even when it's at odds with app developers, the companies that make the individual games and programs that run on Apple's iPhone and other devices.

ACT, says it's not beholden to Apple, but confirmed that it derives more than half its funding from the company. The whistleblowers say the actual percentage is much higher.

ACT representatives regularly testify in Congress, file court briefs in defense of Apple's positions and host annual "fly-in" meetings for developers with lawmakers.