Apple plans to update the software of the iPhone 12 after sales of the model were halted in France due to concerns about excessive radiation levels. According to a junior minister in the French government, the device’s “specific absorption rate” was found to be slightly higher than the legal limit by a radiation watchdog. This rate refers to the amount of energy the human body absorbs when exposed to radio frequency. Apple has disputed the findings and stated that the phone is safe to use without any changes. However, the company has now announced its intention to comply with France’s radiation testing requirements by releasing an update that will prevent the model from using more power when in contact with static surfaces. In an article on its website, Apple explained that iPhones have included sensors for over a decade to detect when the phone is near a user’s body and reduce transmission power. When the phone is not near a body, it uses slightly higher levels of transmission power. Apple argued that the testing protocol used by L’Agence Nationale des Frequences did not take this feature into account. The company emphasized that the iPhone 12 is safe to use and has always met worldwide energy transmission regulations and standards. Additionally, Apple has issued a software update that disables the body-detection technology, ensuring that the phone operates at lower transmission power levels at all times. This update will be available to users in France this month.
