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Heads, trunks, and limbs — More countries are concerned about the iPhone 12s EMF radiation profile France is pulling the mostly off-the-market phone and considering a recall.

Kevin Purdy – Sep 14, 2023 5:39 pm UTC Enlarge / The iPhone 12, a phone that Apple no longer actively sells, is under investigation in France for potentially violating one of two electromagnetic radiation standards.Samuel Axon reader comments 23 with

For many people, the iPhone 12 effectively disappeared from the market on Tuesday, when Apple introduced iPhone 15 models and stopped selling the 12, first released in October 2020. In Europe, however, the iPhone 12 remains a notable device, as a number of countries are following France’s lead in looking into the device’s electromagnetic profile.

What kicked off the unexpected concern about a nearly 3-year-old phone was France’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR). On the same day as Apple’s fall product announcements, the ANFR informed Apple that the iPhone 12 exceeds European Union regulations for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), the rate at which a human body would absorb radiation from a device. A translated version of the ANFR report has the agency calling on Apple to withdraw the iPhone 12, “quickly remedy this malfunction,” and if not, “recall copies already sold.”

There are two measures of SAR for a device operating in the same frequency range as an iPhone, per EU standards. The “head and trunk” value, taken to protect against “acute exposure effects on central nervous tissues” when a phone is against the head or in a pants pocket, must not exceed 2 Watts of power per kilogram of body tissue, averaged over six minutes. When the phone is held in the hand or in clothing or accessories, for a “limbs” value, it’s 4 W/kg. EU regulations for electromagnetic radiation absorption from devices.Official Journal of the European Communities

France’s ANFR measured the iPhone 12 exceeding the “limbs” limit at 5.74 W/kg. The ANFR stated that it would ensure the iPhone 12 was no longer available for sale in France and would oversee “corrective updates” it expects from Apple. Jean-Noel Barot, a digital and telecommunications minister in France, told newspaper Le Parisien that software updates could fix the issue, according to Reuters. Advertisement

Apple responded swiftly to ANFR’s claims, telling multiple press outlets earlier this week that the iPhone 12 was certified by multiple international bodies and that it had provided the ANFR with documentation showing the device within regulatory limits, both from within Apple and independent lab results. Ars Technica reached out to Apple for comment and will update this post with new information.

The EU’s standards note that within a phone’s typical frequency range, the main danger of excess radiation is not changes to cells or chemicals in the body, leading to cancer, but “whole-body heat stress and excessive localized heating of tissues.” The vast majority of mobile phone research indicates no adverse effects from regular exposure to the non-ionizing frequencies phones use to communicate. But a series of studies, however inconclusive or problematic, have raised unnecessary concern and garnered media attention. The World Health Organization states that “no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”

France’s notice has spurred action by other countries. Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection said Wednesday that “the question of the need for change is currently the subject of discussions,” Reuters reported. Belgium’s state secretary for digitalization, Mathieu Michel, told Reuters that he reached out to regulators to review not just the iPhone 12 but all Apple smartphones and other devices. Denmark and Italy have said they are investigating but have taken no formal actions.

In the US, SAR limits set by the Federal Communications Commission are 1.6 W/kg. The iPhone 12’s submitted SAR levels were measured at 1.554 W/kg at their peak, generally when using a hotspot or engaging in “Simultaneous Transmission.” The iPhone 12 did, of course, clear the FCC for release in 2020.

French regulators have recently shown enthusiasm for demanding more from US-based tech companies. They’ve asked Google and Facebook to offer one-click cookie rejection and put repairability scores on smartphones and appliances and told the US and other nations that they want to see global AI regulations by year’s end. reader comments 23 with Kevin Purdy Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering a variety of technology topics and reviewing products. He started his writing career as a newspaper reporter, covering business, crime, and other topics. He has written about technology and computing for more than 15 years. Advertisement Channel Ars Technica ← Previous story Related Stories Today on Ars

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Hollywood writers reach ‘tentative’ deal to end strike over AI and compensation

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7 mins ago

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September 25, 2023

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Hollywood writers reach 'tentative' deal to end strike over AI and compensation

A “tentative” deal has been reached to end a long-running strike by writers in Hollywood.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group which represents studios, streaming services and producers in negotiations.

A statement from the WGA said: “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”

Most of the writers’ demands have been met

After 146 days on the picket line, Hollywood’s writers are finally ready to put pen to paper and sign an agreement with the studio bosses who pay their wages.

My understanding from speaking to sources on both sides of the standoff, is that most of the writers’ demands have been met with this deal, including greater royalty payments and assurances about the role of Artificial Intelligence in future TV and filmmaking.

If approved by the Writers Guild of America members, which seems all but guaranteed, it will bring an end to the second longest strike in the union’s history. It is also the broadest industry strike in decades, with more than 100,000 actors joining them on the picket.

Hollywood will not fully bounce back. Until actors return to work, filming on shows like the Last Of Us and Stranger Things, which have been on hold for months now, cannot resume. But talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Saturday Night Live, which don’t rely on actors, could resume filming as soon as this week.

Speaking to people on the picket line, they framed this strike action as about more than just Hollywood. Some said AI was not just “anti-creative” but that it presented an existential threat not just to their craft but to humankind.

This deal will be seen as a major victory in securing protections over their TV and film credits and payments in the wake of AI.

The three-year contract agreement – settled on after five days of renewed talks by negotiators from the WGA and the AMPTP – must be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially ends.

Read more on Hollywood strikes:
How much of a threat is AI?

The terms of the deal were not immediately announced.

More on Hollywood

Related Topics:

The statement added: “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorised to by the Guild.

“We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.”

The agreement comes just five days before the strike would have become the longest in the guild’s history, and the longest Hollywood strike in decades.

About 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America walked off the job on 2 May over issues of pay, the size of writing staffs on shows and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of scripts.

SAG-AFTRA actors during their ongoing strike, in Los Angeles (file pic)
Image:
SAG-AFTRA actors during their ongoing strike, in Los Angeles (file pic)

In July, the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union started its own walkout which is yet to be resolved.

It said in a statement: “SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines.

“While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.

“We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”

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Business

Hollywood writers reach ‘tentative’ deal to end strike over AI and compensation

Published

7 mins ago

on

September 25, 2023

By

Hollywood writers reach 'tentative' deal to end strike over AI and compensation

A “tentative” deal has been reached to end a long-running strike by writers in Hollywood.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group which represents studios, streaming services and producers in negotiations.

A statement from the WGA said: “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”

Most of the writers’ demands have been met

After 146 days on the picket line, Hollywood’s writers are finally ready to put pen to paper and sign an agreement with the studio bosses who pay their wages.

My understanding from speaking to sources on both sides of the standoff, is that most of the writers’ demands have been met with this deal, including greater royalty payments and assurances about the role of Artificial Intelligence in future TV and filmmaking.

If approved by the Writers Guild of America members, which seems all but guaranteed, it will bring an end to the second longest strike in the union’s history. It is also the broadest industry strike in decades, with more than 100,000 actors joining them on the picket.

Hollywood will not fully bounce back. Until actors return to work, filming on shows like the Last Of Us and Stranger Things, which have been on hold for months now, cannot resume. But talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Saturday Night Live, which don’t rely on actors, could resume filming as soon as this week.

Speaking to people on the picket line, they framed this strike action as about more than just Hollywood. Some said AI was not just “anti-creative” but that it presented an existential threat not just to their craft but to humankind.

This deal will be seen as a major victory in securing protections over their TV and film credits and payments in the wake of AI.

The three-year contract agreement – settled on after five days of renewed talks by negotiators from the WGA and the AMPTP – must be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially ends.

Read more on Hollywood strikes:
How much of a threat is AI?

The terms of the deal were not immediately announced.

More on Hollywood

Related Topics:

The statement added: “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorised to by the Guild.

“We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.”

The agreement comes just five days before the strike would have become the longest in the guild’s history, and the longest Hollywood strike in decades.

About 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America walked off the job on 2 May over issues of pay, the size of writing staffs on shows and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of scripts.

SAG-AFTRA actors during their ongoing strike, in Los Angeles (file pic)
Image:
SAG-AFTRA actors during their ongoing strike, in Los Angeles (file pic)

In July, the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union started its own walkout which is yet to be resolved.

It said in a statement: “SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines.

“While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.

“We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”

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World

Florida: Woman whose remains were found in alligator’s mouth identified by police

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3 hours ago

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September 25, 2023

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Florida: Woman whose remains were found in alligator's mouth identified by police

Police have identified a woman whose remains were found in the mouth of a 13ft alligator in Florida.

The body of 41-year-old Sabrina Peckham was pulled from a canal in Largo, about 20 miles west of Tampa, after a witness spotted her in the alligator’s mouth, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

The animal was “humanely killed”, the sheriff’s office said, and the coroner’s office will perform a post-mortem examination to determine the official cause of death, but it is suspected Ms Peckham was killed by the alligator.

Sabrina Peckham (left) and her daughter Breauna Dorris
Image:
Sabrina Peckham (L), pictured with her daughter Breauna Dorris, has been identified as the victim

Ms Peckham’s daughter said her mother was homeless and lived near the water, and countered claims her mother had been taunting the animal.

Breauna Dorris wrote on Facebook: “Some details I would like to share is that my mother did not ‘taunt’ the alligator as some are saying in the news outlets comments.

“My mother was a part of the homeless population that lived in the nearby wooded area.

“It is believed that she may have been walking to or from her campsite near the creek in the dark and the alligator attacked from the water.”

She added: “No matter how you put it, no one deserves to die like this.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ms Peckham to raise money for funeral costs, which has raised nearly $6,000 so far.

Witness ‘threw a rock at the alligator’

The alligator was spotted by Jamarcus Bullard, who saw the reptile and a body in the water on Friday afternoon.

“I threw a rock at the gator just to see if it was really a gator,” he told a TV affiliate of NBC News, Sky News’ US partner network.

“It pulled the body, like it was holding on to the lower part of the torso, and pulled it under the water.”

Read more:
Hunters kill record-breaking alligator after all-night battle
Man survives alligator attack by ‘grabbing its teeth, tongue and snout’
Man dies in alligator-filled lake while looking for frisbees

Jamarcus Bullard said he saw the alligator and a body in the water on Friday afternoon Pic: NBC
Image:
Jamarcus Bullard said he saw the alligator and a body in the water. Pic: NBC

Mr Bullard said he started recording on his phone and contacted the authorities.

The discovery has left some locals nervous, with Jennifer Dean telling TV station WFLA that her children frequently walk by the canal.

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