On Friday, the 15th, Apple announced its plan to address the controversy surrounding excessive electromagnetic radiation in its iPhone 12 software in France. However, concerns in other European countries suggest that Apple may need to take similar actions elsewhere. The French authorities have mandated the removal of iPhone 12 from the French market starting on September 12, citing electromagnetic wave radiation values that exceed the standard. Apple (AAPL-US) must swiftly rectify this issue for the phones already sold, ensuring they meet the required standards; otherwise, a complete recall will be necessary.
iPhone 12 Radiation Concerns
Apple initially contested these findings, asserting that the iPhone 12 had been certified by multiple international agencies as meeting global standards. Nonetheless, on Friday, the company announced its intention to release a software update to align with the testing methods used in France.
Apple confirmed in a statement, “We will release a software update for French users to align with the protocol used by French regulators, and we are committed to continuing iPhone 12 sales in France. Emphasizing the specific nature of the testing protocol used by French regulators, Apple reiterated that it was not a safety concern.
The French government welcomed Apple’s initiative, indicating that it would expedite testing to permit the resumption of iPhone 12 sales in the country. Nevertheless, France’s warning regarding the electromagnetic radiation standards has triggered a ripple effect across Europe. Belgium’s state secretaries have requested Apple to update iPhone 12 software in EU countries, even though they stated that the phone did not pose a risk to users based on preliminary reviews by Belgian regulators.
The German Internet regulatory agency BNetzA believes that if France makes substantial progress, the German market may also express concerns about this issue. Italian authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with reports suggesting that Italy may also mandate Apple to update software for local iPhone 12 users. CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood speculates that the entire incident may soon fade into obscurity, considering the iPhone 12’s status as an older model.
It’s worth noting that Apple’s total revenue in Europe last year reached approximately US$95 billion, making it the second-largest sales region after the Americas. Estimates suggest that Apple sold over 50 million iPhones in Europe last year.
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