Apple has announced plans to release a software update for iPhone 12 users in France, responding to concerns raised by French authorities regarding the emission of higher-than-permitted levels of radiation from the device. This development comes after France ordered a halt to the sale of iPhone 12 in the country due to radiation concerns, despite Apple’s claims that the device met global radiation standards, as certified by multiple international bodies.
In a statement, Apple stated, “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.” The company emphasized that this update is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and does not indicate a safety concern.
The French National Frequency Agency (ANFR) regulator is set to test this software update to ensure compliance with European standards applied in France, which should lead to the lifting of the sales ban.
French authorities had raised concerns that the iPhone 12 exceeded European Union radiation exposure limits, prompting them to halt sales of the device. They also announced intentions to inspect Apple stores to verify compliance and stated that if the iPhone 12 was still being sold against their orders, they would recall phones already sold to customers.
In response, Apple defended the iPhone 12’s compliance with global radiation standards and presented lab results from both Apple and third-party sources to substantiate their claim. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have not established any adverse health effects resulting from mobile phone use. The regulatory limits on specific absorption rate (SAR) have been set well below the threshold where harm has been identified by scientists.
Professor Rodney Croft, the chair of ICNIRP, pointed out differences in testing methods, explaining that the French assessment assumes direct skin contact without layers between the device and the user, which differs from Apple’s approach.
This software update aims to address the specific testing concerns raised by French regulators and ensure that the iPhone 12 remains available to consumers in France.