iPhone 12 Sales Suspended in France Due to High Radiation Levels

The French radiation regulatory agency, ANFR, has halted sales of the iPhone 12 in France after tests revealed that the smartphone’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) slightly exceeds the legally permitted level. This was announced by France’s Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, in an interview with Le Parisien.

Barrot stated that a software update should be sufficient to resolve the radiation issue associated with the smartphone, which the American company has been selling since 2020. “We expect a response from Apple within two weeks,” he said, adding that if the company does not respond, he is prepared to order a recall of all iPhone 12 devices currently in circulation. “The rules are the same for everyone, including digital giants,” Barrot emphasized.

The European Union has set safe SAR limits for mobile phone exposure, as scientific studies suggest that such exposure may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

The French regulatory agency will now share its findings with regulators in other European Union countries. “In practice, this decision could trigger a ‘snowball effect’,” Barrot said.

It’s worth noting that in 2020, France expanded its regulations, requiring retailers to display radiation values on the packaging not only of mobile phones but also tablets and other electronic devices.