France’s iPhone 12 ban could spread across Europe, German regulators say

France’s ban on iPhone 12 sales due to radiation fears could have repercussions across Europe, regulators in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands warned.

Apple will have to recall all iPhone 12 phones in France if fix updates don’t work, the country’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR) said on Tuesday, after tests showed electromagnetic radiation levels 40 percent above the legal limit.

On Wednesday, the Dutch digital regulator said it was reviewing the ANFR report and seeking an explanation from the US tech giant.

“A norm has been exceeded. Fortunately, there is no acute safety risk, but we will speak to the manufacturer shortly,” Angeline van Dijk, inspector at the Nederlandse Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur (RDI), told the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

“The Netherlands places as much importance on the safe use of mobile phones as France. Mobile phones must comply with European standards.”

Belgium and Germany followed suit with their own statements on Thursday, with network regulators saying the French procedure could have a guiding role for all of Europe.

The Independent Apple has asked for comment.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s junior minister for digital economy, said on Tuesday that the ANFR’s data would be shared with other EU member states, potentially leading to a “snowball effect” for Apple.

“Apple is expected to respond within two weeks,” he told the French newspaper Le Parisien.

“If they fail to do this, I am prepared to order a recall of all iPhone 12s in circulation. The rule applies to everyone, including the digital giants.”

The iPhone 12 smartphone series was scheduled to be discontinued after the iPhone 15 was unveiled on Tuesday, so a sales ban would not have a significant impact on Apple’s phone sales.

But a continent-wide recall would have a significant impact on the world’s richest company if a solution is not found.