Apple To Release Radiation-Reducing iPhone 12 Update in France

Apple has chosen to defuse its iPhone 12 dispute with France.

The tech giant recently announced it is releasing the update the French government wants made to iPhone 12s in France to reduce the device's alleged radiation level.

This announcement follows the French government ceasing the sale of iPhone 12s after discovering the radiation it emits is "slightly higher" than the allowed threshold.

Apple's Compromise

Apple has decided to abide by the French government's demand instead of arguing about the safety of its iPhone 12. According to a Reuters report, the tech giant promised to release an update for the iPhone 12s in France to "accommodate the testing methods used in France."

This update, according to the French government's ultimatum to Apple, is required to be one that will lower the device's radiation level to a more acceptable one. The French government welcomed Apple's announcement, saying it will test it as soon as possible - once the update passes, the French government will allow Apple to sell them again nationwide.

The French government previously had Apple cease selling its iPhone 12s after it discovered that it was emitting radiation levels higher than the allowed threshold. However, France's digital minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said that the phone's radiation levels are much too low for scientific studies to consider it harmful to users.

Barrot revealed in his X.com post that while the iPhone 12 was emitting radiation levels "slightly above" the allowed threshold, the radiation it emits is at levels more than ten times lower than the one at which there could be a health risk.

Apple itself contested the French government's claim about the radiation levels that come with the iPhone 12. You may recall that the tech giant instructed its tech support team to not provide any information when customers ask about the French government's claim and reassure customers that the iPhone 12 is safe to use.

Despite Apple's promise of a radiation-reducing update, it reiterated that multiple international bodies certified the iPhone 12 as a device compliant with global radiation standards.

Growing Concern Over iPhone 12

Unfortunately, it seems Apple may have to launch this radiation-reducing update to other countries in the EU. Belgium, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands have started looking into the iPhone 12's radiation level, with Belgium being the first country to do so after France.

Reuters' report revealed that Belgium's state secretary for digitalization, Mathieu Michel, wants Apple to release this iPhone 12 radiation-reducing update to other EU countries. This request is despite the results of the Belgian regulator's preliminary review of the handset that found the iPhone 12 presenting no danger to users.

Additionally, Germany is in touch with French authorities to find an EU-wide solution, while Italy wants Apple to release the update in question there as well, per the publication's sources.

Meanwhile, the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure said it is also investigating the iPhone 12's radiation levels; it expects results in two weeks. The investigation is likely launched due to the calls the agency received from concerned customers.

Lastly, Denmark has been assuring its citizens that the iPhone 12 is safe to use. Its Safety Authority won't take action following France's findings, and it is not concerned about the iPhone 12's radiation levels.