Apple said on Friday it would issue a software update for iPhone 12 users in France to address radiation concerns raised by the country's regulators (via Reuters).
"We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France," Apple said in a statement.
"This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern," added the company.
The French regulator ANFR said it would test the software update. If it made a difference to the electromagnetic waves the device emitted, the regulator said it would bring the model into compliance with European standards applied in France, and the marketing withdrawal order would be lifted.
Earlier this week, France ordered Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales and "fix" existing devices to bring them into electromagnetic radiation compliance with European standards. The increase in emitted electromagnetic radiation observed over time by regulators appears to have been the result of successive software updates issued by Apple, and was not present when the iPhone 12 was launched in 2020.
The ANFR ordered Apple to "remove the iPhone 12 from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit" for electromagnetic absorption by the body. The agency also told Apple to recall every iPhone 12 it has ever sold in the country. Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones, local media reported.
Following the controversy, Apple reportedly advised its tech-support staff not to volunteer any information when consumers ask about the issue, and tell any concerned customers that that all Apple products go through rigorous testing to ensure that they're safe, according to guidance.
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Top Rated Comments
At launch iPhone 12 was fine with EU Standards (<4W/kg). ANFR did multiples test over time. It has increased now to reach 5.7W/kg. Keep in mind though if you don't reach 40W/kg you don't have real health risk. The EU standard is simply 10x smaller than the real risk as a precaution. Probably a bit too much tbh but it is what it is.
For more info you can check my post on the previous article on this topic https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/france-orders-end-to-iphone-12-sales-over-radiation-level-concerns.2401438/post-32461217
This is like measuring the UV index on the surface of the sun, then using that to determine which sun screen to wear on earth 8 light minutes away.
Keep in mind the iPhone 12 is still within spec in all other EU nations, other jurisdictions, and according to both independent and Apple’s own testing.
Can’t believe Apple bent to this idiotic fear mongering campaign.