In an attempt to resolve the ongoing dispute with French regulators over radiation exposure limits, Apple has announced plans to release a software update for iPhone 12 users in France.
This development comes after the suspension of iPhone 12 sales in France due to alleged breaches of radiation limits.
Apple's official statement regarding the forthcoming software update clarifies that the issue pertains to a specific testing protocol employed by French regulators and is not a safety concern. The tech giant aims to align the iPhone 12 with the protocol used by French authorities to ensure compliance with radiation standards.
The Agence Nationale des Frequences (ANFR), France's radiation watchdog, had raised concerns about the iPhone 12's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), a measure of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body. ANFR's tests indicated that the SAR levels in the iPhone 12 exceeded legally allowed limits, leading to the ban on sales in France.
Apple's dispute with ANFR
Apple has consistently challenged the ANFR's findings, asserting that the iPhone 12 had been certified as compliant with global radiation standards by multiple international bodies. The company maintains that the smartphone poses no risk to users' health.
Understanding mobile phone radiation
Radiation from mobile phones primarily leads to the heating of body tissue. While the SAR levels in the iPhone 12 exceeded EU standards, experts from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have emphasized that this does not pose a health risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health bodies have not found conclusive evidence linking mobile phone radiation to adverse health effects. Nevertheless, they have called for further research in this area.
Despite Apple's commitment to resolving the issue through a software update, the ANFR has insisted that it could order a recall of the iPhone 12 in France if the problem remains unresolved. The ANFR's actions raise questions about whether other European countries might take similar steps.
Belgium has also expressed concerns over the iPhone 12 and plans to review potential health risks associated with the device. This development raises the possibility that more European countries could follow France's lead in banning the model due to radiation exposure concerns.
Apple's ongoing efforts
As the controversy continues to unfold, Apple's efforts to provide a software update appear to be a crucial step in maintaining its presence in the French market while addressing regulatory concerns. The outcome of these efforts will likely have implications not only for the tech giant but also for the broader discussion surrounding mobile phone radiation and its potential impact on public health.
