Apple is set to release a software update for its iPhone 12 in France due to concerns about radiation levels, according to the country’s digital minister, Jean-Noel Barrot.
Sales of the iPhone 12 were temporarily halted in France after regulators detected elevated electromagnetic radiation levels. Apple was instructed to address the issue.
The upcoming update will be specifically for iPhone users in France, as the company stated that the concern was related to a unique testing protocol in the country. Apple emphasized that the radiation findings did not pose a safety risk.
This development raises questions about Apple’s plans for the iPhone 12 in other countries, as the device was released just three years ago.
Mr. Barrot mentioned that the French radio frequency regulator (ANFR) would assess the new update for compliance before permitting the iPhone 12 to resume sales in France.
The World Health Organization has previously stated that there is no evidence to suggest that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields from mobile phones is harmful to humans.
In a statement sent to AFP news agency, Apple said the radiation finding in France was “related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern”.
It said the iPhone 12 complied with emissions rules worldwide, but it would “issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators”.
The ANFR previously told Apple that if it could not resolve the issue via a software update, it would have to recall every iPhone 12 sold in the country.
The regulator found iPhone 12’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to be above what is legally allowed in France.
The iPhone 12 smartphone was first released in September 2020 and it is still sold worldwide.
Apple recently stated to BBC News that it was challenging the ANFR’s review. The company maintained that it had provided the regulator with lab results from both its own tests and third-party assessments, demonstrating compliance with all relevant regulations.
However, Mr. Barrot imposed a two-week deadline on Apple and expressed concerns that France’s findings might have a cascading impact as they are shared with regulators across the European Union (EU). Regulatory authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have also initiated investigations into the matter.
Germany’s BNetzA network agency informed the BBC that the French inquiry could lead to measures applicable to all EU member states. In contrast, no actions have been announced by the UK and the US following the French ban.