iPhone 12 Banned in France Due to High Electromagnetic Radiation Levels: ANFR Issues Warning

The French authority, Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), has ordered Apple Inc. to halt the sale of its iPhone 12 in the country, citing unsafe electromagnetic radiation emissions. After testing 141 units, the agency found radiation levels exceeded the permissible Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) by over 40%. France's Digital Minister warns of a potential nationwide recall.

The ANFR supervises radio frequencies in the region and told Apple to fix its other phones. As per BBC News, the regulator warned the American tech firm that if it cannot solve the issue in its products through a software update, it will be asked to recall all iPhone 12s that it already sold in France.

Jean-Noel Barrot, Digital Minister of France, told the local paper, Le Parisien, that the decision to ban the iPhone 12 was due to radiation levels exceeding the acceptable threshold.

"Apple is expected to respond within two weeks," the minister stated. "If they fail to do so, I am prepared to order a recall of all iPhones 12 in circulation. The rule is the same for everyone, including the digital giants."

Apple spoke with BBC and shared that ANFR's review about radiation levels is challenging. The iPhone maker said it had already supplied the agency with lab results showing it complied with the relevant mandates when its mobile phones were released.

The lab test results it presented were from its testing and other versions from third parties. The firm also explained that the iPhone 12 is recognized in other parts of the world as compliant with radiation emission regulations.

Meanwhile, the UK's The Independent reported that the Agence Nationale des Fréquences concluded high radiation in the iPhone 12 after testing 141 units. The agency discovered that the phone model emits more than 40% above the legal limit for cell phones' Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).

Photo by: Akhil Yerabati/Unsplash