Last week, China implemented a ban on Apple iPhones and foreign-branded devices for government officials due to escalating concerns about data security. In a similar move, French regulators have now taken a significant step by prohibiting the sale of Apple’s iPhone 12 within their country. France’s decision is grounded in recent tests that revealed the smartphone’s radiation levels exceed European limits, particularly when held or carried close to the body. The Agence Nationale des Frequences (ANFR), France’s radiation watchdog, found that the iPhone 12’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), a measure of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body, surpassed legally allowed levels.
The specific absorption rate (SAR) is a measure of the energy absorbed by the body. Its measure is Watt per kilogram (W/kg). In order to avoid adverse health effects, the specific absorption rate of a mobile phone must not exceed 2 Watts per kilogram.
This move by French regulators has not only sparked concerns but also raised questions about the safety of the iPhone 12 across Europe. While no other EU country has enacted a ban on iPhone 12 sales, several, including Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, are closely monitoring the situation. The ANFR said it conducted tests on 141 mobile phones, and the iPhone 12’s electromagnetic energy absorption level was measured at 5.74 watts per kilogram, exceeding the EU’s standard of 4 watts per kilogram.
However, it’s important to note that the iPhone 12 passed a separate test for radiation levels when placed in a jacket or bag. At a distance typical for a phone in such situations, the radiation remained within legal limits. Apple has promptly responded to these allegations, emphasising that the iPhone 12 complies with global radiation standards, as certified by multiple international bodies.
French regulators are urging Apple to address the issue for devices already in circulation, with the promise of ongoing monitoring through software updates. If radiation levels persistently exceed limits, a product recall might become necessary.
The controversy raises the broader question of whether iPhone 12 users should be concerned about radiation exposure. International experts and organisations have set specific absorption rate limits for mobile phones to prevent potential health effects.
The World Health Organisation’s cancer research arm has classified mobile phones, including the iPhone 12, as “possible” carcinogens (a substance, organism, or agent capable of causing cancer). However, this classification is primarily based on concerns related to heating body tissue rather than direct DNA damage.
Apple views the European Union as a significant market and has adjusted its products, such as adopting the USB-C port in the recently launched iPhone 15, to align with EU standards. The negative publicity surrounding the iPhone 12’s safety could potentially impact Apple’s sales projections in this important market.
As the situation unfolds, questions remain about whether other countries or authorities will launch similar investigations into the iPhone 12’s safety. Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection has already begun discussions on the matter, leaving room for potential changes in the future.
