France Bans Sale Of iPhone 12 Amid Launch Of iPhone 15: Here's Why

Amid the recent launch of iPhone 15 on September 12, the Apple Company has been facing backlashes as a French Agency asks the company to stop the sale of iPhone 12 owing to health issues caused by the electromagnetic radiation.

According to the the French Agency, level of electromagnetic energy absorption of iPhone 12 is 5.74 watts per kilogram, higher than the EU standard of 4 watts per kilogram.

The French National Frequency Agency on Tuesday reportedly said that Apple must take preventive measures for restricting the sale 0f of iPhone 12 in the market and take some strict action to bring the affected phones into compliance.

The agency also said that a software update would be enough to fix the issue as the apps, programs and other operating information running on a device affects how the hardware works.

Reacting the agency, Apple said that the iPhone 12 is certified by multiple international entities and meets global radiation regulations. The Apple said it has also shared various lab results, including third-party tests, with the French agency to confirm compliance.

According to the Apple, the iPhone 12 has a Sar of 0.98 watts per kilogram when held next to the ear and 0.99 watts per kilogram when carried or kept in a pocket - far below what the French claim.

SAR Or Standard Absorption Rate is the level of energy that a body can absorb from any source of radiation. The radiation from the devices are a result of how they work by transmitting radiofrequency waves, creating electromagnetic fields. SAR is expressed in watts per kilogram of body weight.

France's Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has however confirmed that the sale of iPhone 12 has been put on halt currently until there is an update from the company for all affected devices.

The French Digital Minister also showed concerns of the the radiation levels detected by the iPhone 12 as these radiations might lead to cancer.

Unlike the radiation from X-rays or gamma rays - caused by radioactive decay - phones are not capable of breaking chemical bonds or causing changes to cells in the human body- a process which can ultimately cause harm like cancer.

Non-ionizing type of radiation from phones lead to heating up of the body tissue, which above the set limit and longer exposure can cause severe health effects including burns or heat stroke, according to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a body which sets guidelines for the limits globally.

Apart from France, Belgium State Secretary Mathiue Michel said that they have started investigating the issue and taking all necessary actions to ensure the safety of the users.

Michael said that he has asked the IBPT-BIPT (regulator) to analyse the potential danger of the product. He further said that he had also asked the regulator to review all Apple smartphones.

However, it won't be easy for Apple to stop the sale all the units of iPhone 12 as it is still sold via third-party sellers.

Notably, the iPhone 12 successfully passed the radiation test back in 2021 by the French agency.

Apart from France and Europe, the Industry Ministry of Italy has also confirmed that the monitoring of the smartphone has taken place, but no action will be implemented for now. The use of iPhones could also face a regulatory ban in China.