Apple to Issue iPhone 12 Software Update in France to Address Radiation Concerns

[MacRumors]

Apple said on Friday it would issue a software update for iPhone 12 users in France to address radiation concerns raised by the country's regulators (via Reuters).

"We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France," Apple said in a statement.

"This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern," added the company.

The French regulator ANFR said it would test the software update. If it made a difference to the electromagnetic waves the device emitted, the regulator said it would bring the model into compliance with European standards applied in France, and the marketing withdrawal order would be lifted.

Earlier this week, France ordered Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales and "fix" existing devices to bring them into electromagnetic radiation compliance with European standards. The increase in emitted electromagnetic radiation observed over time by regulators appears to have been the result of successive software updates issued by Apple, and was not present when the iPhone 12 was launched in 2020.

The ANFR ordered Apple to "remove the ‌iPhone 12‌ from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit" for electromagnetic absorption by the body. The agency also told Apple to recall every ‌iPhone 12‌ it has ever sold in the country. Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones, local media reported.

Following the controversy, Apple reportedly advised its tech-support staff not to volunteer any information when consumers ask about the issue, and tell any concerned customers that that all Apple products go through rigorous testing to ensure that they're safe, according to guidance.

Article Link: Apple to Issue iPhone 12 Software Update in France to Address Radiation Concerns

 

[yabeweb]

I guess 3 years too late…

 

[Pezimak]

So much for Apple denying the claims then... this is all they had to do from the beginning not be drama Karen's about it.
I bet it's literally a 5 minute fix to the code.

 

[iZac]

plot twist - the software update just disables mobile data.

 

[kanki1985]

Wishing all regulatory authorities to be as assertive as French and hopefully some kind of regulatory authority in the US..

 

[Lwii2boo]

I guess 3 years too late…

The issue is due to Apple who increased emission over time with software updates. It's not a late thing.
At launch iPhone 12 was fine with EU Standards (<4W/kg). ANFR did multiples test over time. It has increased now to reach 5.7W/kg. Keep in mind though if you don't reach 40W/kg you don't have real health risk. The EU standard is simply 10x smaller than the real risk as a precaution. Probably a bit too much tbh but it is what it is.

For more info you can check my post on the previous article on this topic https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...adiation-level-concerns.2401438/post-32461217

 

[jonnysods]

After the software fix there will be a lawsuit for poor reception on the phones as they cranked the radios down.

 

[MayaUser]

IF they could fix this with a software issue, why not until now???

 

[MayaUser]

After the software fix there will be a lawsuit for poor reception on the phones as they cranked the radios down.

exactly, because this is also hardware related...and the iphone 12 is not sold by Apple anymore

 

[WiiDSmoker]

IF they could fix this with a software issue, why not until now???

Because Apple never owns up to anything until forced.

 

[Wildkraut]

The EU also should check this.

 

[jasonsmith_88]

Hang on, so France decided to use a shorter non-standard distance to measure radiation, measured that the radiation at the non-standard (shorter) distance was greater than the standard (longer) distance (so, basically just confirming that the laws of physics still apply), and then use this new measurement to claim radiation exceeds recommended levels when they didn’t actually adjust their expectation to cater for the shorter distance?

This is like measuring the UV index on the surface of the sun, then using that to determine which sun screen to wear on earth 8 light minutes away.

Keep in mind the iPhone 12 is still within spec in all other EU nations, other jurisdictions, and according to both independent and Apple’s own testing.

Can’t believe Apple bent to this idiotic fear mongering campaign.

 

[gpat]

So much for Apple denying the claims then... this is all they had to do from the beginning not be drama Karen's about it.
I bet it's literally a 5 minute fix to the code.

I think not.
When these fixes are issued, usually cell reception worsens considerably.

 

[contacos]

Not sure the EU / France will be satisfied with this solution. Sounds like a reversed "Dieselgate" of VW

 

[Pezimak]

I think not.
When these fixes are issued, usually cell reception worsens considerably.

I do not agree with that, because these regulations have existed for years, and I believe they are Europe wide also, and as the regulators said Apple most likely did not detect it’s power increasing with its firmware updates, the iPhone 12 would have had to of met the legal requirements when launched otherwise it wouldn’t have been legally accepted for sale in Europe.
So you would have to argue that the iPhone 12 had much worst reception at launch.

 

[sflagel]

Hang on, so France decided to use a shorter non-standard distance to measure radiation, measured that the radiation at the non-standard (shorter) distance was greater than the standard (longer) distance (so, basically just confirming that the laws of physics still apply), and then use this new measurement to claim radiation exceeds recommended levels when they didn’t actually adjust their expectation to cater for the shorter distance?

This is like measuring the UV index on the surface of the sun, then using that to determine which sun screen to wear on earth 8 light minutes away.

Keep in mind the iPhone 12 is still within spec in all other EU nations, other jurisdictions, and according to both independent and Apple’s own testing.

Can’t believe Apple bent to this idiotic fear mongering campaign.

The moment to complain is when the law is being drafted and discussed, and then in the courts. Just ignoring a law is called doing something criminal. I would advise against it.

 

[sflagel]

I think not.
When these fixes are issued, usually cell reception worsens considerably.

It may, but still to perfectly working levels. As they did when the iPhone 12 was launched.

 

[Zest28]

I guess 3 years too late…

That explains why I got 3 arms now. Is quite handy because now I can eat a baguette and french wine all at the same time.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

IF they could fix this with a software issue, why not until now???

“Fix” is a loaded term. It’s a non-issue and the “fix” is going to decrease performance. I don’t blame them for fighting it.

 

[falkon-engine]

Maybe the cellular modem needs a firmware update.

 

[asiga]

"This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern," added the company.

Oh, how they play with the wording... they choose "specific testing protocol" instead of "electromagnetic waves". Even if there are no safety concerns, the fact they avoid saying waves is pretty hypocritical. There's an overwhelming abuse of using language as a façade nowadays.

 

[Zest28]

Oh, how they play with the wording... they choose "specific testing protocol" instead of "electromagnetic waves". Even if there are no safety concerns, the fact they avoid saying waves is pretty hypocritical. There's an overwhelming abuse of using language as a façade nowadays.

The iPhone 12 passed all tests, which is why it is allowed to be sold all across the world. France obviously did something wrong and Apple simply doesn't care to fight it considering they are selling the iPhone 15 now.

 

[tonie walker]

…seems software related patches did not go through radiation re-testing, Apple seems confident enough to bypass this, shame

 

[omenatarhuri]

What France did is they held the device next to the measurement. I don't know about you guys but I also hold the phone to my ear when I speak to it. Not 5-10mm away from it but literally touching the ear.

Hopefully they don't bicker about who's right and wrong, but look at the safety of the public and make sure the devices are safe.

 

[4odomi]

Apple said on Friday it would issue a software update for iPhone 12 users in France to address radiation concerns raised by the country's regulators (via Reuters).

The French regulator ANFR said it would test the software update. If it made a difference to the electromagnetic waves the device emitted, the regulator said it would bring the model into compliance with European standards applied in France, and the marketing withdrawal order would be lifted.

Earlier this week, France ordered Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales and "fix" existing devices to bring them into electromagnetic radiation compliance with European standards. The increase in emitted electromagnetic radiation observed over time by regulators appears to have been the result of successive software updates issued by Apple, and was not present when the iPhone 12 was launched in 2020.

The ANFR ordered Apple to "remove the ‌iPhone 12‌ from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit" for electromagnetic absorption by the body. The agency also told Apple to recall every ‌iPhone 12‌ it has ever sold in the country. Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones, local media reported.

Following the controversy, Apple reportedly advised its tech-support staff not to volunteer any information when consumers ask about the issue, and tell any concerned customers that that all Apple products go through rigorous testing to ensure that they're safe, according to guidance.

Article Link: Apple to Issue iPhone 12 Software Update in France to Address Radiation Concerns

What we need to know 100% is whether the French have actually changed the testing process from the original! If they have than it's much a do about nothing, if they haven't than Apple have some serious questions to answer.
I'm also confused about the software upgrades being the culprit, why haven't they affected the Pro's & the Mini ?