In France, a government watchdog agency has ordered Apple to withdraw its iPhone 12 from the country’s market, saying that the smartphone model emits levels of electromagnetic radiation that are too high.
The National Frequency Agency, which works in the country to oversee radio-electric frequencies and the public’s exposure to electromagnetic radiation, is responsible for the report.
The agency shared in a statement on Tuesday that it wants Apple to “implement all available means to rapidly fix this malfunction” in phones that have already been sold and are being used.
According to the agency’s statement, updates for the iPhone 12 will be monitored by the agency. If they are unsuccessful in limiting the amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted, then “Apple will have to recall” the phones already sold.
Since the release from the ANFR, Apple has disputed the findings, saying that the device complies with all regulations governing radiation.
Still, the ANFR said it recently checked 141 cell phones for electromagnetic waves capable of being absorbed by the body, and it found the level of absorption to be 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests when the phone was being held in a hand or pocket.
The European Union’s standard is 4 watts per kilogram.
The agency went on to say that the iPhone 12 met the threshold for radiation when testers had the phone in a jacket or bag.
Apple alleges that its phone, first released in late 2020, has been certified by multiple international bodies. The tech giant also says that the phone complies with all regulations and standards for radiation worldwide.
Apple said it has also provided the AFNR with numerous lab results from tests carried out by the company and third-party labs. It claims the results show it is in compliance with regulations.
The World Health Organization’s cancer research division has labeled cell phones as “possible carcinogens.” This puts them in the same category as diesel fumes and coffee.
The WHO does say that the radiation produced by cell phones cannot directly damage DNA.