French Regulator Demands Apple Withdraw iPhone 12 Over Excessive Radiation Levels

The French regulator ANFR demands Apple withdraw iPhone 12 from the market due to excessive radiofrequency radiation levels.
ANFR testing found the iPhone 12's SAR value for limbs exceeds the EU limit by 43.5%.
ANFR threatens a forced recall if Apple doesn't fix the issue. SAR levels for the body are within limits.
A firmware update could potentially reduce the SAR by adjusting power transmission algorithms.
The impacted iPhone 12 is 3 generations old but still popular due to discounted pricing and long software support.

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Relevant topic timeline:

9/12/2023

France Halts iPhone 12 Sales Over Radiation Concerns, Demands Apple Software Fix

France has ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 model in the country due to radiation levels that exceed legal limits, and a software update may be required to fix the issue.

9/14/2023

iPhone 12 Radiation Concerns Prompt Sales Ban in France, Reviews in Europe

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.

9/16/2023

FDA Denies Probing iPhone 12 Radiation, Despite EU Concerns and Bans

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.

9/18/2023

French Regulators Find iPhone 12 Emits Higher Radiation, But Unlikely to Pose Health Risks

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.

9/26/2023

Apple Releases iPhone 12 Software Update for France to Fix Radiation Concerns

French authorities are reviewing a software update from Apple for its iPhone 12, which is intended to address a radiation issue that led to the suspension of sales in France and prompted concerns in other European countries.

9/29/2023

France Lifts iPhone 12 Ban After Apple Updates Phones to Meet Radiation Standards

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.

10/10/2023

iPhone 12 Sales Resume in France After Software Fix for Radiation Concerns

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.