In order to resolve a dispute concerning radiation levels, Apple pledged on Friday to upgrade the software on iPhone 12s in France. However, concerns in other European nations suggested Apple might need to take similar steps abroad.
France suspended sales of iPhone 12 phones this week after tests revealed violations of radiation exposure regulations.
Apple refuted the findings, claiming that the iPhone 12 was approved by numerous international organisations as meeting all worldwide requirements, but announced on Friday that it would release a software update to take into account the French testing procedures.
Over the past two decades, numerous studies have been undertaken to evaluate the health concerns related to mobile phones. The World Health Organisation claims that there is no evidence linking them to any negative health impacts.
However, the radiation warning in France, which was based on test results that were different from those of other nations, has raised worries across Europe.
The Belgian state secretary for digitalization stated that he had urged Apple to update the software on the iPhone 12 across the EU, despite the fact that, according to the regulator's own preliminary analysis, the device poses no risk to customers.
Italy was preparing to ask Apple to upgrade the software on iPhone 12s there, according to a government source in Rome, while Germany claimed it was in contact with French authorities to find an EU-wide solution.
The conclusion of the French probe will come first, a second Italian government source claimed, and only then would Italian officials make any requests of Apple or take any independent actions.
The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure stated that it is in contact with Apple as well as German and French authorities and is also conducting its own inquiry, which is due in two weeks. The organisation reported that it had received calls from customers who were worried.
The French authorities welcomed Apple's software update, saying it will be quickly evaluated and would allow sales of the relatively old iPhone 12 model, which was released in 2020, to resume.
"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," Apple stated. "This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern."
