France bans the sale of the iPhone 12; how did Apple react?

On September 13, Apple defended the iPhone 12 after French regulators ordered a halt to sales of the model, citing violations of European Union (EU) radiation exposure limits.

The French National Frequency Authority (ANFR) recently tested 141 mobile phones and found that the electromagnetic wave energy absorption rate (SAR) of the iPhone 12 was 5.74 watts/kg, higher than the EU standard of 4 watts/kg.

ANFR has therefore requested that Apple take all available measures to quickly resolve this issue.

"For phones that have already been sold, Apple must take corrective action as soon as possible. Otherwise, Apple will have to recall them," the agency said in a statement.

ANFR stated that they will send agents to Apple stores and other distributors to ensure that this model is no longer being sold. If Apple does not take action, they will recall any products the company has already sold to consumers.

The iPhone 12 models were first launched in 2020 and are now discontinued. Photo: Sky News

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs, said Apple could fix the radiation issue with a software update.

“Apple will have to respond within two weeks. If they don’t, I’m prepared to order a recall of all iPhone 12s currently in circulation. The rule applies to everyone, including the digital giants,” Barrot asserted.

Apple has refuted ANFR's conclusions, asserting that the iPhone 12 model has been certified by numerous international agencies as compliant with global radiation standards.

The company also provided several Apple and third-party lab results demonstrating compliance.

Over the past two decades, experts have conducted numerous studies to assess the health risks posed by mobile phones. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no adverse health effects have been identified so far as a result of using these devices.

Customers leave an Apple store in the Opera district of Paris, France, on July 24, 2022. Photo: CNN

Professor Rodney Croft, chairman of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), the body that sets global guidelines on SAR limits, said that the French findings may differ from results recorded by other regulatory bodies because ANFR assesses radiation using a method that assumes direct skin contact, without an intermediate textile layer between the device and the user.

A French government source also stated that the French trial differs from the method used by Apple.

ANFR will forward its findings to regulatory authorities in other EU member states.

Germany's internet regulatory body BNetzA stated that French regulations serve as guidelines for the whole of Europe, and therefore Germany may well introduce similar requirements to those of France.

Germany's radiation watchdog BfS also said that France's decision could have an impact on the entire region.

Apple doesn't break down sales by country or model. The company's total revenue in Europe reached approximately $95 billion, with over 50 million iPhones sold in 2022 .

Nguyen Tuyet (Based on Reuters, Euronews, Al Jazeera)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/phap-cam-ban-iphone-12-apple-phan-ung-ra-sao-a626393.html