Apple has released iOS 16.6.1, an emergency update for iPhones, to fix two serious flaws that have been actively exploited by attackers to deliver spyware without user interaction.
French regulators have ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 in France due to excessive electromagnetic radiation and to fix the existing handsets, as testing revealed that the model emits more electromagnetic waves than permitted by the European standard.
The French regulatory agency (ANFR) has asked Apple to withdraw iPhone 12 smartphones from the French market due to their excessive radiofrequency energy emissions, which surpass the permitted limit for absorption by the human body.
Belgium will assess potential health risks linked to Apple's iPhone 12 following France's ban, raising the possibility of more European countries banning the model due to breaches of radiation exposure limits.
The FDA is reportedly not conducting a specific investigation into the safety of the iPhone 12, despite claims that it is due to radioactivity concerns raised by the French government, stating that there is no scientific evidence linking cell phone use to health problems within the set exposure limits.
The French iPhone ban due to "radiation" concerns is based on tests showing that the iPhone 12 emits more electromagnetic radiation than permitted, but experts argue that the elevated levels are unlikely to pose any risk to users, and scientific studies confirm that smartphones do not increase cancer risk.
Apple has released a new security update for iPhones, iPads, and other devices to protect against three vulnerabilities, following a previous update released earlier this month.
France may allow Apple to sell iPhone 12s in the country again after the company addressed the electromagnetic radiation standards set by the country's regulatory agency.
Apple has announced a software fix for the iPhone 12 radiation limit issue in France, which will be included in iOS 17.1 and will reduce power when off-body on a static surface, resulting in slightly lower cellular performance in certain off-body use cases.
iOS 17.1 will allow the iPhone 12 to be legally sold in France again after it was temporarily banned due to exceeding the country's specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for on-body emissions.
The upcoming iOS 17.1 update from Apple will lower iPhone 12 radiation levels, although the off-body detection feature will be disabled only in France due to a testing protocol error.
Apple is set to release its iOS 17.1 update by October 24th, which will address radiation levels in the iPhone 12 and includes other features such as an Apple Music favorites system and support for AirDrop over the internet.
Apple has released a software update for the iPhone 12 in France that lowers the transmission power, which may result in reduced cellular performance in certain situations.
Apple is developing a system that allows its stores to update the software of iPhones without opening the packaging, ensuring that customers receive devices with the latest software already installed.
Apple's upcoming iOS 17.1 update will address safety concerns with iPhone 12 and introduce new features such as StandBy mode settings, Apple Music upgrades, AirDrop using cellular data, a flashlight symbol in Live Activities, and the return of new ringtones.
