A regulator in France asked this week that Apple stop selling its iPhone 12 there, after it said tests found that the device emits radiation levels exceeding European restrictions, giving fresh attention to old concerns about health and cellphone usage.
Apple disputed the findings, saying the device, released in 2020, has been certified by international bodies and complies with regulations, the Associated Press reported.
The Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) said in a statement that it expects Apple to “deploy all available means to put an end to the noncompliance” and that failure to act could result in a product recall.
France’s decision could have a ripple effect across Europe. The move has revived discussions about the potential risks of cellphone radiation, a fraught topic on which decades of scientific research remains inconclusive. In general, health experts say modern cellphones emit very low levels of radiation. They also say the way cellphones are used now — often with headsets or for texting or social media — reduces exposure because the phones are held at a distance from the head and body.
France’s digital minister said the iPhone 12’s radiation levels are still much lower than those that scientific studies say could harm users, and that a software update could solve the compliance issue. The ANFR itself acknowledges that its tests don’t reflect typical phone use.
Whether you have an iPhone 12 or you’re just concerned about your phone, here’s what you should know.
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