Apple forced to stop selling iPhone 12 phones in France due to high radiation
This week, Apple unveiled their latest generation - the iPhone 15 - which will release across the globe on 22 September.
This latest model of the iPhone has been described by experts as the 'biggest update to the device in three years' and Apple have revealed it at their latest 'Apple Event'.
The iPhone 15 lineup includes a bunch of new features, including a large screen display, new camera features and of course, the introduction of USB-C cables.
But the iPhone 15 is not the only phone from the tech giant in the news right now, with the iPhone 12 also making some headlines.
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The iPhone 12 first hit the market in 2020 and is largely regarded as one of Apple's more favoured phones in recent years.
However, according to a report in Reuters, Apple has been asked to cease selling its iPhone 12 model in France due to a new discovery.
France's junior minister for the digital economy Jean-Noel Barrot told news outlet Le Parisien that the model is above threshold radiation levels.
The nation's radiation authority ANFR informed Apple that sales of iPhone 12 would need to be halted in France after conducting tests on the phone.
According to Reuters, they found the device's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) was higher than is permitted by law.
"Apple is expected to respond within two weeks," the government official said.
"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."
Barrot went on to say that a simple software update would be sufficient to fix such radiation issues, meaning Apple would continue to be able to sell the iPhone 12 in France.
Non-ionizing radiation is produced by iPhones and many other smartphones, though it lacks energy to ionize atoms or molecules.
While it doesn't pose many health risks, it does not mean it cannot be problematic.
Regulatory bodies in several nations have defined exposure limits for RF radiation, the type present in the mobile phones used everyday.
Restrictions are put in place to guarantee that the radiation emitted by stays below safe thresholds, subsequently protecting our health.
iPhones are made to adhere to these restrictions, though French authorities have seemingly found some problems with the iPhone 12.
Possible health implications from prolonged exposure to RF radiation from mobile phones has been the subject of many studies.
Several, in fact, have found a connection between high SAR values and certain forms of cancer.
An Apple spokesperson told UNILAD: "This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern. Since it was introduced in 2020, iPhone 12 has been certified and recognized as meeting or exceeding all applicable SAR regulations and standards around the world.
"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."
Topics: Apple, Technology, France
Callum Jones