Apple to Update iPhone 12 to Address Radiation Concerns
Apple is set to update the iPhone 12 to comply with European rules on electromagnetic radiation, as reported by Politico.
The American tech giant has pledged to provide a software update in the coming days, according to a French digital ministry official.
Regulators in other European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, have also expressed concerns and are evaluating potential health risks.
Once Apple updates the software, France's National Frequency Agency will verify if the device complies with electromagnetic radiation rules, the French official added. If it does, the decision to remove the iPhone 12 from the market will be revoked.
French Minister of Digital Technology Jean-Noël Barre, French regulators, and Apple executives met on Thursday to discuss this matter.
"This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and is not a safety issue. Since its introduction in 2020, the iPhone 12 has been certified and recognized as meeting or exceeding all applicable SAR norms and standards worldwide," Apple officially responded.
"We will release a software update for users in France to comply with the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to the iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France," the statement said.
Earlier this week, the French National Frequency Agency demanded that Apple remove the device from the local market, as tests revealed that the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of the iPhone 12 slightly exceeded the allowable limit. SAR relates to the "measure of the rate at which radiofrequency energy is absorbed by the body from equipment."
As reported by The Gaze, France banned the sale of the iPhone 12 due to exceeding the permissible radiation level, said France's Minister of Digital Economy Jean-Noël Barre. The French regulatory body ANFR informed Apple of its decision to ban the sale of the iPhone 12 after conducting tests.
Now, the French regulatory body will share its findings with regulatory authorities in other EU member countries. In 2020, France expanded rules requiring retailers to indicate the radiation capacity of products on their packaging, including tablets and other electronic devices.