The French watchdog “Agence Nationale des Fréquences” (ANFR)’ which governs radio frequencies had told Apple to fix the iPhone 12 radiation emission that can be harmful to French citizens.
Today Wednesday, 13 September 2023, France ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 for emitting too much electromagnetic radiation.
The ANFR had advised Apple to resolve the issue via a software update or something, if the tech giant is unable to do so it must be forced to recall and halt the sale of the iPhone 12 in the country.
However, the World Health Organization had previously stated that radiation emitted by mobile phones poses no threat as there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to electromagnetic fields is harmful to humans.
Apple in response told BBC it has provided the ANFR with lab results that show the device is in compliance with all the relevant rules. Saying “The iPhone 12 is recognized as being complying with regulations on radiation levels worldwide”.
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France’s digital minister, Jean-Noel Barrot told the French newspaper “Le Parisien” the decision was due to radiation levels above the acceptable threshold when the ANFR found the iPhone 12’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) was above what is legally allowed.
“Apple is expected to respond within two weeks,” he said.
“If they fail to do so, I am prepared to order a recall of all iPhone 12 in circulation. The rule is the same for everyone, including the digital giants.”
The ANFR requires the SAR of devices to be checked through the two different ways a phone is used.
First, there is a limb check, for when a phone is in close contact with a person’s body, such as when it is held or placed in a trouser pocket. The SAR limit for this is four watts per kilogram.
The regulator (ANFR) said that of iPhone 12 was 5.74 watts per kilogram – higher than the limit.
Second, a check for when a phone is slightly further away, such as when it is in a bag or jacket pocket, but the iPhone 12’s SAR measure came in under this threshold.
The news first broke on Tuesday in France – the same day that Apple unveiled its new iPhone 15.
With this development, it is crucial that the Nigerian government check if the specific absorption rate for the iPhone 12 meets our stipulated threshold. This came as a warning sign for other Nations and it would be unwise for Nigerians to ignore it as the majority of phones used in Nigeria are iPhones and 12 are quite much in circulation.
While we wait for the review and eventual intervention of the federal government, let us try to keep ourselves safe out there by limiting the direct contact of the device on our skin.
Will Apple make some changes to reduce the emission of too much electromagnetic radiation from the iPhone 12, to meet the minimum threshold of (SAR) in not only France but other Nations? Well…We have two weeks to find out. If the iPhone 12 keeps selling and is not recalled in France, then it delivered.
Find out on WebManager.NG/blog what will happen next. You can also find out more about ICT-related trends and topics.
