Apple has confirmed in a statement that it will soon release a software update that will bring the iPhone 12’s electromagnetic radiation levels down in line with the European Union’s legal limit, according to Reuters.
Last week, France’s ANFR – the country’s wireless radio devices regulator – concluded in new tests that the iPhone 12 emits higher levels of radiation than the maximum legal limit stipulated by the EU. France consequently halted iPhone 12 sales, with the government signaling that Apple would be forced to recall every iPhone 12 unit sold in the country if the problem couldn’t be fixed via software.
Apple has acknowledged the issue while stressing that it has stemmed primarily from ANFR’s testing protocol, and is not an immediate safety concern in and of itself. The rise in emitted electromagnetic radiation that regulators have detected over time seems to have stemmed from a series of software updates released by Apple. This increase was not evident when the iPhone 12 was first released in 2020.
Discover new horizons, always connected with eSIM
Travel the world stress and hassle-free with the best eSIM service available. Enjoy unlimited data, 5G speeds, and global coverage for affordable prices with Holafly. And, enjoy an exclusive 5% discount.
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
Apple’s statemen to Reuters
Additionally, the ANFR shared its findings with other EU member states including Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, adds Reuters. For the moment, it seems that Apple has avoided the risk of being forced to recall all iPhone 12 units sold in France and potentially the EU, a risk that would have surely incurred significant costs.
According to industry experts, there are no safety concerns because the regulatory limits, which are established with a focus on preventing burns or heatstroke caused by the phone’s radiation, have been set significantly lower than the thresholds where scientific evidence of harm has been detected.
