Alarming Alerts Issued For Millions Of New iPhone 12 Users

Alarming Alerts Issued For Millions Of New iPhone 12 Users
 Alarming Alerts Issued For Millions Of New iPhone 12 Users

The Silicon Valley tech giant has done it again. Apple’s iPhone 12 is a major hit with millions of users now carrying the device. However, it seems the company has hit a major roadblock. Apple had previously issued a warning that there is a chance that the iPhone 12 models may cause electromagnetic interference with medical devices such as the pacemaker and defibrillators, it seems the interference may be more severe than the company let on.

Apple Issues Warning

The tech giant had previously warned users that there may be some interference with medical devices. This was before the devices were released into the market, after the distribution, Apple released another statement cautioning users of the design flaw. This warning emphasized the Magsafe chargers. The following statement was released on a support document;

“Medical devices such as implanted pacemakers and defibrillators might contain sensors that respond to magnets and radios when in close contact. To avoid any potential interactions with these devices, keep your iPhone and MagSafe accessories a safe distance away from your device (more than 6 inches / 15 cm apart or more than 12 inches / 30 cm apart if wirelessly charging). But consult with your physician and your device manufacturer for specific guidelines.”

It seems as if Apple was anticipating major disapproval hence had already started damage control. It further added, “All MagSafe accessories (each sold separately) also contain magnets—and MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo Charger contain radios. These magnets and electromagnetic fields might interfere with medical devices.”

Medical Experts Carry Out Tests

After the warning was issued, a series of tests were carried out to assess how severe the inference was. The data obtained revealed a much more worrying update. Gurjit Singh, a cardiologist at, Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute revealed in an official press release that, tests with the iPhone 12 discovered it can consistently stop defibrillators from working, in a way that could potentially be lethal. "We were all stunned,” Singh explains. “We had assumed that the magnet[s] would be too weak in a phone to trip the defibrillator’s magnetic switch."

He further added that an iPhone should be kept at least 6-inches away from the chest at all times. He also confirmed that the FDA has begun its tests on the risk these magnets pose to defibrillator and pacemaker patients.

It is estimated that over one million cardiac pacemakers are implanted every year worldwide. This is quite an alarming development since users might keep their iPhones in their front pockets or in their coat which could pose life-threatening if the iPhone continues to interfere with pacemakers and defibrillators.

What Should We Expect?

As of now, Apple has not released a statement regarding how they plan on tackling such a severe issue. It has claimed that the iPhone 12 range is "not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior iPhone models.” However, recent studies prove that this is not an issue to be ignored. Apple should brace itself since there might be a full investigation launched into the devices. 

It seems tech companies this year are under one scrutiny after the other. Previously, Facebook was under major backlash for the updated privacy policy on WhatsApp. The policy states that data sharing will now occur with third parties such as Facebook. Due to the global uproar, WhatsApp delayed the update for now.


 

 

Author

Zainab is a content creator & a passionate blogger. She is a professional tech blogger & an avid reader by soul. She loves to explore topics related to news/technology, particularly SMS backup & restore. In her free time, she enjoys penning down her thoughts with a cup of coffee.

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