French Authorities Receive Apple's iPhone 12 Radiation Fix - What's Next?

In case you missed it, French authorities have taken a significant move surrounding the iPhone 12's alleged radiation exposure issue.

After suspending sales of the iPhone 12 earlier this month, citing breaches of radiation exposure limits, France threatened a product recall if Apple failed to provide a fix.

As the clock ticked down, Apple has submitted a promised software update to address the concerns raised by the French regulatory agency Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), Reuters reports.

A Closer Look

The iPhone 12, released three years ago, suddenly became the center of a heated controversy when French authorities claimed it exceeded legal radiation exposure limits.

The term "radiation" here refers to radio-frequency radiation (RF), not the ionizing radiation associated with radioactive decay or the sun's natural emissions.

While RF radiation, emitted by smartphones, can cause localized heating of human tissue, the World Health Organization has asserted that there's no evidence it poses any health risk.

Nonetheless, laws limit how much RF energy can reach smartphone users.

Apple's Response and the Software Update

Apple initially contested the French findings, arguing that they resulted from the specific testing methods employed in France.

However, the tech giant pledged to resolve the issue with a software update tailored to meet France's testing standards.

The company has now delivered that update to the ANFR, setting the stage for further evaluation. The stakes are high for Apple, as failure to address the issue could lead to a costly product recall.

The French suspension of iPhone 12 sales has also stirred concerns in other European countries, including Belgium, which has shown interest in the software update's impact.

The Impact of the Update

While the software update is intended to address the radiation issue, its implementation might not come without consequences.

AppleInsider reports that it is likely to reduce RF emissions but could also affect cellular reception, particularly in areas with weak signal strength. Until French authorities determine its effectiveness, sales of the iPhone 12 remain halted in France.

"Apple is expected to respond within two weeks," noted Jean-Noel Barrot, France's junior minister for the Digital economy. "If they fail to do so, I am prepared to order a recall of all iPhones 12 in circulation. The rule is the same for everyone, including the digital giants."

The controversy surrounding the iPhone 12's radiation issue highlights differences worldwide in RF radiation measurement standards and testing methodologies.

In Other News

Apple's iOS 17 update brought a number of new features and improvements.

However, several users who had previously turned off the iPhone Analytics and Significant Locations capabilities complained that after switching to iOS 17, these options were unexpectedly turned back on.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

(Photo : Tech Times Writer John Lopez)