Apple to Issue iPhone 12 Software Update in France to Address Radiation Concerns

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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).

iphone 12 preorder purple

"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.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

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Top Rated Comments

iZac Avatar
iZac
31 months ago
plot twist - the software update just disables mobile data.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
jonnysods
31 months ago
After the software fix there will be a lawsuit for poor reception on the phones as they cranked the radios down.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lwii2boo Avatar
Lwii2boo
31 months ago

I guess 3 years too late…
The issue is due to Apple who increased emission over time with software updates. It's not a late thing.
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
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonsmith_88 Avatar
jasonsmith_88
31 months ago
Hang on, so France decided to use a shorter non-standard distance to measure radiation, measured that the radiation at the non-standard (shorter) distance was greater than the standard (longer) distance (so, basically just confirming that the laws of physics still apply), and then use this new measurement to claim radiation exceeds recommended levels when they didn’t actually adjust their expectation to cater for the shorter distance?

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.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kanki1985 Avatar
kanki1985
31 months ago
Wishing all regulatory authorities to be as assertive as French and hopefully some kind of regulatory authority in the US..
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiiDSmoker Avatar
WiiDSmoker
31 months ago

IF they could fix this with a software issue, why not until now???
Because Apple never owns up to anything until forced.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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