Apple has asserted that the iPhone 12 remains safe for use, even in the absence of a software update. This statement comes after France temporarily suspended the sale of the iPhone 12 last month, citing concerns about potentially excessive radiation levels.
Jean-Noel Barrot, a junior minister in the French government, had reported to Le Parisien that a radiation watchdog had identified a slightly higher “specific absorption rate” in the device, which relates to how the human body absorbs energy when exposed to radio frequency.
Apple, however, has challenged these findings and maintained that the iPhone 12 is safe to use without any modifications. Nevertheless, the tech giant announced on Tuesday its intention to comply with France’s radiation testing regulations by implementing an update that would restrict the model from using excessive power when in contact with stationary surfaces.
In an article published on its website, Apple explained that iPhones have incorporated sensors for over a decade to detect when the device is in proximity to a user’s body, which helps maintain transmission power at lower levels. When the phone is not in close contact with the body, such as when placed on a table, it utilizes slightly higher levels of transmission power.
“iPhone 12 was certified to meet applicable worldwide energy transmission regulations and standards when it first shipped in 2020 and no changes have been made since then that would affect energy transmission.”
