Bad news for Apple came from France. In the statement made by the French National Frequency Agency (ANFR), it was stated that Apple’s iPhone 12 model phones were found to violate the radiation level imposed by the European Union (EU) for phones, and that Apple was instructed to stop the sales of the said model phones.
ANFR announced that a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value of 5.74 watts per kilogram was detected by the body during simulated tests where the iPhone 12 was held in the hand or in the trouser pocket.
The EU standard is the SAR value of 4.0 watts per kilogram.
Stating that the tests comply with the SAR standards when the phone is in a jacket pocket or bag, ANFR stated that the SAR value is normal when it is held directly to the head as if making a phone call.
PHONES MAY BE RECALLED!
ANFR stressed that it would send representatives to Apple stores and other distributors to check that the model in question was no longer sold, and that failure to take action would lead to a recall of iPhone 12s already sold to consumers.
HE OBJECTED THE DECISION!
In the statement made by Apple, it was stated that the iPhone 12, released in 2020, was approved by more than one international organization in compliance with global radiation standards, and that Apple and third parties sent the laboratory results to ANFR showing that the device complies with all relevant rules.
APPLE HAS 2 WEEKS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM!
French Minister of Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot stated in his statement that a software update from Apple on the model in question would be sufficient to solve the radiation problems and said, “Apple is expected to respond within two weeks. If they do not do this, all iPhone 12s in circulation will be removed.” “I am ready to order the recall of the companies. The rule is this: The same applies to everyone, including digital giants,” he said.
Stating that ANFR will forward its findings to regulators in other European Union member states, Barrot said, “In terms of implementation, this decision may create a snowball effect.”
GERMANY AND SPAIN MAY ALSO STOP THE SALES OF IPHONE 12S!
Germany and Spain may also stop sales of iPhone 12s
The German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) stated that they may initiate similar actions regarding the iPhone 12s following the findings of ANFR and stated that they are in close contact with the French authorities. The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) in Spain also called on Spanish authorities to stop iPhone 12 sales.
“IT DOES NOT PUT ANYONE AT RISK IN TERMS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY!”
While researchers have conducted numerous studies over the past 20 years to assess health risks from cell phones, no adverse health effects of cell phone use have been identified so far, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Professor Rodney Croft, chairman of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), said in a statement: “From a health and safety perspective, this does not appear to put anyone at risk.” Croft said ANFR’s findings may differ from those found by other regulators because ANFR evaluates radiation using a method that assumes direct skin contact without textile layers between the device and the user.
APPLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE RADIATION TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME!
A source from the French government told the press on condition of anonymity that ANFR’s testing was different from the method used by Apple. While the sale of 42 phone models has been stopped in France due to radiation tests carried out on phones so far, Apple was affected by these tests for the first time.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which sets global guidelines on SAR limits, classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone use as “probably carcinogenic” in 2011.
APPLE INTRODUCED IPHONE 15 YESTERDAY!
Apple introduced the new iPhone 15 model and other products at an event held in California, USA yesterday. Apple sold more than 50 million iPhones in Europe last year, generating approximately $95 billion in revenue.