France recently banned the iPhone 12 from being sold in the country due to concerns about its radiation levels. Apple, known for its commitment to health and the environment, responded by instructing its employees not to address customer questions about the health risks of the iPhone 12 and to emphasize its safety.

An Apple spokesperson stated that the ban was related to the testing protocol used by French regulators and not due to any safety concerns. The company assured that all its phones, including the iPhone 12, meet the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) regulations and standards worldwide.

In response to the request made by the French minister, Apple agreed to release a software update to make the iPhone 12 compliant with the SAR testing protocols in France. The conflict arose because France modified its SAR testing protocols in 2020, the same year the iPhone 12 was launched.

To provide some context, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States has set a maximum SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg for smartphones, while the European Union (EU) allows up to 2 W/kg. To meet the French regulations, Apple simply needed to update its software to accommodate the changes in the testing protocols and ensure the phone’s radiation safety.