France bans iPhone 12 sales due to high radiation levels; Apple to issue software update for iPhone 12 users

Earlier this week, Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 Pro featuring a titanium case and USB-C charging. However, the launch was overshadowed by news from France. A French government watchdog agency ordered Apple to withdraw the iPhone 12 from the French market.

In a public statement, the French agency said it found that the iPhone 12 emits electromagnetic radiation levels that exceed the established regulatory limits. The agency asked Apple to halt sales of the iPhone 12 in response to this issue and asked the company to issue a fix as quickly as possible. The next day, Belgium and Germany also joined France in expressing their concerns regarding the radiation emitted by the iPhone 12.

However, Apple challenged the findings, saying that the iPhone 12 had received certification from various international bodies for compliance with global standards. But on Friday, Apple announced that it would be rolling out a software update for iPhone 12 users in France to address the radiation level issue. Talking to the media outlets, Apple said that the new software release will align with the testing protocols used in France.

“We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to the iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France. This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern,” Apple told Reuters, AFP, and Euronews in a statement.

In the past two decades, researchers have conducted numerous studies to assess the potential health risks associated with mobile phones. According to the World Health Organization, no adverse health effects have been definitively linked to their use.

However, the recent radiation warning issued in France, based on test results that differ from those in other countries, has raised concerns throughout Europe. Belgium’s state secretary for digitalization has requested that Apple update the iPhone 12 software across EU countries, despite the preliminary findings of the Belgian regulator suggesting no immediate danger to users.

Germany has initiated discussions with French authorities to explore the possibility of a European Union-wide solution. In parallel, Italy is considering requesting that Apple upgrade the software on iPhone 12 devices within its borders, as indicated by a government source in Rome. It’s important to note that any formal request to Apple or independent decisions by Italian authorities will only be made after the conclusion of the French investigation, according to a second Italian government source.

The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure is also conducting its own investigation, with results expected in two weeks. The agency is actively communicating with Apple, as well as German and French authorities, regarding this matter. Additionally, the agency has been receiving inquiries from concerned consumers regarding the issue.