In response to France’s ban on the sale of iPhone 12 due to concerns over excessive radiation levels, Apple Inc. has pledged to release a software update that will rectify the issue. This move by Apple comes amid growing apprehension in Europe after France alleged that the iPhone 12 surpasses the European Union’s radiation exposure limit.
Apple has issued a statement affirming their commitment to addressing the matter: “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.”
It is crucial to note that Apple maintains that the problem is not related to safety concerns but is tied to a specific testing protocol employed by French regulators.
France, the country that initially called for the halt in iPhone 12 sales, has welcomed Apple’s swift response. Digital Minister Jean Noel Barrot has indicated that Apple assured him the software update would be implemented within a few days.
France’s radiation oversight body is preparing to conduct rapid tests on the software update to determine if it aligns with permissible radiation levels. If the update complies, the sales ban will be lifted, as per the digital ministry’s announcement.
Apart from France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands have also expressed concerns regarding potential health risks associated with iPhone 12 due to excessive radiation emissions.
Notably, the iPhone 12, introduced in 2020, is an older model facing potential phase-out following the recent launch of iPhone 15.
Reports suggest that Apple sold over 50 million iPhones in Europe last year, generating approximately $95 billion in revenue. Europe stands as the company’s second-largest market, following the Americas.
With contributions from Reuters