Phonegate Alert challenges all of Europe over telecom “Dieselgate”

No European regulator is currently able to fully verify phone emission control software. Indeed, these programs can alter the device’s behavior during radiation exposure tests. This is the finding that Phonegate Alert sent last week to every national market surveillance authority in Europe.

The parallel with Dieselgate is direct. In the automotive industry, software devices modified vehicle behavior during emissions tests. Similarly, in mobile phones, undisclosed software mechanisms can alter transmit power, antennas, or device behavior during Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing.

Behind this major regulatory loophole lies a public health issue. How can we ensure that users’ actual exposure is properly assessed when the software mechanisms controlling emissions cannot be independently audited?

Market surveillance: flaws admitted by the European Commission

The European Commission itself admits this in its decision of August 19, 2025 regarding the iPhone 12. It officially acknowledges that using proprietary tools without disclosing the algorithm does not allow for “an independent assessment of SAR.” Furthermore, it “does not guarantee the transparency and independence required for market surveillance activities.”

Furthermore, the Commission’s own scientific service, the JRC (Joint Research Centre), points out another major limitation. European standard EN 50566:2017 does not define a methodology for several current mechanisms. This includes multi-antenna systems, dynamic antenna switching, and power control algorithms.

Five questions addressed to market surveillance authorities

This is why Phonegate Alert addresses five simple questions to each national authority:

• Does it require the disclosure of software mechanisms that could influence SAR testing?
• Does it have the technical keys and means to audit them?
• Will it inspect devices from other manufacturers?
• Can software that cannot be audited truly form the basis for a presumption of conformity?
• Is it prepared to bring this issue before the European Commission?

Dr. Marc Arazi, President of Phonegate Alert:
“Every regulatory authority in Europe now has these questions in hand. We hope for a European wake-up call in the face of this public health issue. While Brussels is still withholding essential algorithmic documents from its own iPhone 12 file, we are preparing to take action before the General Court of the European Union to obtain their disclosure.”