To prevent the iPhone 12 from being banned in France, Apple is reportedly working to release a software update that is said to bring down the radiation levels to accommodate the request of French regulators. Before being officially released back in 2020, it was reported that Apple knew about this problemand instructed its employees to stay quiet about the whole thing. It does not appear that there will be any legal repercussions against the California-based giant this time.

Apple once again said in a statement that the radiation levels of the iPhone 12 are not a safety concern

In a report from Reuters, Apple has said that the software update being issued is to comply with a testing protocol used by regulators and that the issue does not pose a health risk for users. Following the news that France pushed towards banning the iPhone 12, Belgium proceeded with its own health review around the device.

“We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France. This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern.”

ANFR, or the national frequency agency, manages all radio frequencies in France and will commence its own testing to ensure that the iPhone 12’s radiation levels are within safety levels. Assuming this handset passes the tests, sales of this specific model will resume. The iPhone 12 is around three years old at this time, but the reason why it holds so much significance is thanks to the timing that this news materialized.

Juggling with the iPhone 15 announcements, Apple also had to tackle the radiation concerns voiced by French regulators surrounding the iPhone 12, and with iPhone 15 pre-orders right around the corner, it makes complete sense for Apple to issue a software update as early as possible. Assuming the company would have taken longer, not only would it have meant a ban of the iPhone 12 in France and other potentially other European countries, but its iPhone 15 series would also been in the regulators’ crosshairs.

The authorities would then examine the new devices with a watchful eye, likely performing stringent tests of their own to ensure the iPhone 15 family complies with safety radiation levels. At this stage, where there is a declining demand for smartphones, Apple cannot afford to take a misstep, and best of all, the software update for the iPhone 12 should eliminate any health concerns for users living in France, too.

News Source: Reuters