List of cell phones withdrawn or updated for deception and endangering users (updated 6 June 2025)

List of cell phones withdrawn or updated for deception and endangering users
By : Phonegate Team • 6 Jun 2025

There are now 59 mobile phone models identified as dangerous to users’ health that have either been withdrawn from the French market or had their Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) updated via software. The latest additions are: the CrossCall Core S5, the Nokia 110, the Ulefone Note 16 Pro and the Oukitel WP28, the DORO 1800 PLUS, the DOOGEE N50, the DOOGEE S100 PRO, the OSCAL C80, the SPC Discovery, the Motorola MOTO G53, the Nokia G22, the HOTWAV Cyber 7, the LOGICOM Flow, the EMPORIA smart 4 The DOOGEE S88, the EMPORIA simplicity V27, Apple’s iPhone 12, the Motorola Edge, the Essentiel Clap 20+, the Xiaomi Poco X3, and the LOGICOM Le Swipe.
Beware of the CrossCall Core S5 smartphone

Phonegate Alert reveals a new exceedance observed by ANFR of the specific absorption rate (SAR) limit (4.33 W/kg instead of 4 W/kg) on the CrossCall Core S5, a smartphone mainly intended for professionals (police officers, firefighters). Despite a mandatory corrective software update, the Agency has still not published the non-compliance report in its DATA database, despite our repeated requests.

Read our full press release dated June 6, 2025

Continue reading:
https://phonegatealert.org/en/list-of-mobile-phones-with-non-compliant-sars-removed-or-updated-in-france-2/

Beware of the CrossCall Core S5 smartphone

Beware of the CrossCall Core S5 smartphone
By : Phonegate Team • 6 June 2025

Phonegate Alert reveals a new exceedance detected by ANFR of the limit of the specific absorption rate (SAR) (4.33 W/kg instead of 4 W/kg) on the CrossCall Core S5, a smartphone mainly intended for professionals (police officers, firefighters). Despite a requirement to release a corrective software update, the Agency has still not published the non-compliance report in its DATA database, despite our repeated requests.

The Core S5 is already the 59th dangerous mobile phone to be flagged for non-compliance since we began reporting in 2018.

CrossCall targets professionals

French manufacturer CrossCall, which specializes in rugged smartphones for security, defense, healthcare, and construction, launched this new model, the Core S5, at the end of 2024. However, at the time of publication, there is no information on its website regarding SAR exceedances or updates.

Exposure to electromagnetic waves: a widely underestimated public health issue

The SAR measures the energy absorbed by the body when using a device. This latest incident highlights the urgent need to reduce user exposure, especially for professionals who are required to use such equipment on a daily basis for several hours at a time (security forces, healthcare workers, etc.). The health risks associated with electromagnetic waves, which are increasingly well documented, require strict compliance with standards by manufacturers and authorities.

CrossCall: A misleading response from the manufacturer

In response to this finding, CrossCall, at the request of ANFR, carried out a software update aimed at reducing the transmission power of its terminals, bringing the “limb” SAR down to 1.45 W/kg. However, this correction does not erase the seriousness of the initial exceedance, nor the issue of protecting users who have not performed the update. And as our real SAR calculator shows, the Core S5 has head and trunk SARs that exceed 7W/kg. Once again, we are faced with a clear regulatory failure!

Continue reading:
https://phonegatealert.org/en/beware-of-the-crosscall-core-s5-smartphone/

Reader's comment on the Schlatter Motion published by the Tribune de Genève

Reader's comment on the Schlatter Motion published by the Tribune de Genève

tdg.ch, 6 June 2025

Health of the Population

The association Doctors for the Environment recently cited a scientific study that compiled numerous animal experiments. In rats, the level of certainty was deemed high that exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by wireless devices increases the risk of two types of cancer: gliomas and schwannomas.

The Confederation says the situation is under control. No, it is not. On May 7, 2025, the National Council rejected a motion (130 votes to 62, with 8 absent or not voting) calling for the establishment of market surveillance to monitor compliance with legal cell phone radiation limits and protect users' health. Although the Confederation earned 1.4 billion Swiss francs from the sale of 4G and 5G frequencies to operators Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt between 2012 and 2024, Federal Councilor Baume-Schneider recommended rejecting this motion, considering the implementation of such surveillance to be demanding in terms of financial and human resources.

Meanwhile, more and more users are being exposed to potentially harmful RF radiation emitted by cell phones, and rates of serious cancers such as glioblastoma are increasing among young people.

United States: Court ruling in Florida: towards a ban on social networks for minors?

Court ruling: towards a ban on social networks for minors?
by Andy R., android-mt.ouest-france.fr/, June 5, 2025 - auto-translation

A high-profile Florida law aimed at banning minors under the age of 14 from accessing social media platforms has just suffered a major setback. A federal judge has ordered its temporary suspension, reigniting the thorny debate over child protection in the digital age versus the fundamental principle of freedom of expression. This American decision resonates particularly strongly as many countries, including France, are considering the best way to regulate the use of social media by young people.

In brief:

• Florida law banning social media for children under 14 suspended by judge
• Concerns about violation of freedom of expression have been raised by the courts
• This type of debate on regulating minors' access to social networks is also lively in France. 

Florida's Attempt to Disconnect Young Users

In the spring of 2025, the state of Florida made a splash by adopting some of the strictest legislation in the United States regarding minors' access to social media. HB1, in particular, provided for an outright ban on the creation of accounts on many platforms for children under the age of 14. For adolescents aged 14 and 15, explicit parental consent became necessary. The stated objective of Florida lawmakers was clear: to protect young people from the effects deemed harmful by social media, such as cyberbullying, mental health problems (anxiety, depression, damaged self-image), or exposure to inappropriate or dangerous content.

Switzerland: Mobile phone ban at schools: a first step towards protection - but the basic problem remains unattended

Mobile phone ban at schools: a first step towards protection - but the basic problem remains unattended
Sources: Wiler newspaper; ajour.ch and pomona.ch, posted by Verein Schutz vor Strahlung, 1st June 2025 - translation

Nidwalden intervenes: As the first German-Swiss canton, it passes a uniform ban on private digital devices in schools. Meanwhile, other cantons continue to rely on self-responsibility - ignoring a central question: What role does the influence of radiation play in school?

Starting from the new school year, children and young people will no longer be allowed to use private phones, tablets and laptops in Nidwalden on the school premises. Exceptions are for educational purposes or emergencies only. The Directorate of Education justifies this decision with the increasing use of such devices and the desire to promote conscious use. The new regulation applies to both primary and secondary schools.

Increase in brain tumors among young people – yet Switzerland is not monitoring the mobile communications market for financial reasons

Increase in brain tumors among young people

A study shows that the number of brain tumors among young people in France has risen significantly in recent years. Experts suspect that the increasing levels of mobile phone radiation are the cause.

by Andreas Gossweiler, gesundheitstipp.ch/, 13 May 2025, Updated 26 May 2025

(posted by Verein Schutz vor Strahlung on its Facebook page, 29 May  2025 - DeepL translation)

(Photo): Young people on their cell phones: Mobile phone radiation is a risk factor for cancer (Image: iStock)

Since the year 2000, the number of malignant brain tumors in young people between the ages of 15 and 39 has more than doubled in France. This is shown by a recent study by the French health authority. While other types of cancer, such as leukemia and breast cancer, have remained constant, the increase in brain tumors is striking. The researchers explicitly cite non-ionizing radiation—i.e., mobile phone radiation—as a possible risk factor. For many experts, it is clear that the increasing use of cell phones and constant exposure to radio sources such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth could have a significant impact on health.

Cell phone radiation impacts hormone levels and ovary development in rats

Cell phone radiation impacts hormone levels and ovary development in rats
Environmental Health Sciences Staff, May 28, 2025

According to a recent study published in Reproductive Sciences, rats exposed to cell phone radiation while in the womb experienced significant impacts to key elements of their reproductive health.

In short:

• Prenatal exposure to cell phone radiation caused a decrease in rats’ estrogen and progesterone hormone levels.
• Exposure also affected the size of the rats’ ovaries and reduced the number of developing follicles (which are critical in the development of eggs).
• Impacts to the ovaries were higher in rats exposed for longer periods of time.

Key quote:

“These findings highlight the potential risks of exposure to mobile phone radiation during pregnancy and emphasize the importance of further research to understand the long-term effects on neonatal health.”

Why this matters:

This research expands on the body of scientific evidence linking cell phone and wireless radiation exposure to reproductive impacts. Multiple studies have reported similar fertility outcomes in rats, including decreased estrogen and progesterone levels, a reduction in ovarian follicles, and follicular degeneration. While these studies point to the potential for impacts to ovarian development in humans from prenatal exposure, U.S. regulations remain outdated and many experts caution that federal safety limits, which are not designed to address long-term exposures, are not sufficient to protect public health, particularly during pregnancy and childhood.

European Commission: A process locked in for the benefit of the telephony industry

European Commission: A process locked in for the benefit of the telephony industry
By : Phonegate Team • 28 May 2025

At midnight on May 27, 2025, the European Commission closed its call for contributions on the activation of rules for reconfigurable radioelectric equipment, which aims to ensure that software updates do not compromise the safety and compliance of devices throughout their lifecycle. This consultation is part of the RED Directive (2014/53/EU), which regulates the marketing of radioelectric equipment in Europe.

A major issue for 450 million Europeans

With the proliferation of software capable of remotely modifying radio parameters (transmit power, frequencies used), a device that is compliant when first placed on the market can become non-compliant, or even dangerous, after a manufacturer’s update. This can lead, for example, to increased exposure to radiofrequency radiation (measured by the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)), or to interference with other essential services.

The aim of the consultation is therefore to propose the activation of different levels of legal provisions (from 0 to 4) to provide a more or less strict framework for these updates, in order to guarantee consumer health and safety.

76% of contributions come from industry stakeholders vs. 24% from civil society

Of the 34 contributions received, the vast majority come from industry stakeholders, who are in favor of the status quo (option 0) or simple self-regulation (option 1), citing economic arguments and the need to preserve innovation.

On the other hand, consumer associations, national authorities and NGOs, including Phonegate Alert, are calling for tighter regulation (options 2 to 4) to prevent the abuses observed, notably the practice of bypassing SAR tests via embedded software.

Continue reading:
https://phonegatealert.org/en/european-commission-a-process-locked-in-for-benefit-telephony-industry/

Switzerland: Radiation free school? – Why the call for cell phone bans is getting louder

Radiation free school? – Why the call for cell phone bans is getting louder
Sources: Central Plus and Blick.ch, posted by Verein Schutz vor Strahlung, 23 May 2025 - DeepL translation

The debate about cell phones in schools is currently more topical than ever - and shines a bright light on a blind spot in the education and health system: the lack of awareness of the potential health effects of constant digital exposure and social overstimulation. While politicians, psychologists and educators discuss psychological stress and media education strategies, one thing remains largely unaddressed - the issue of electrosmog.

In Zug, parliamentarians of all parties called for legal clarity for mobile phone-free school zones. The reason: the mental health of young people is deteriorating rapidly. Cyberbullying, constant pressure to present themselves and constant digital distraction not only endanger learning success, but also mental stability. But the government waves the issue away: existing rules are sufficient, schools should decide for themselves in individual cases. However, school psychologist Stephan Kälin warns against mere coercion - and relies on dialog, role models and intrinsic motivation (intrinsic motivation means that the drive to carry out an activity comes from within).

Switzerland: Monitoring of cell phone radiation: “We'd rather suppress the risks than measure them”

“We'd rather suppress the risks than measure them”

by Pascal Sigg, infosperber.ch, 17 May 2025 - Deepl translation

No money for health: the National Council does not want to monitor device radiation. The Federal Council was also against it.

Time and again, cell phones that exceed the radiation limits come onto the market in this country. This only becomes known because - in addition to the manufacturers - a French authority monitors the devices (Infosperber reported).

(Photo): Called in vain for control of smartphones: National Councillor Marionna Schlatter. Parliamentary services

Switzerland has been resisting effective control of the devices for years (Infosperber reported). And it will continue to do nothing. This became clear last week after the National Council clearly rejected a proposal by Marionna Schlatter. The Green politician called for independent market surveillance of devices in Switzerland.

New York State: Smartphones Are Finally Getting Expelled

Smartphones Are Finally Getting Expelled

By John Herrman, a tech columnist at Intelligencer, nymag.com, 8 May 2025

Starting at the beginning of the 2025–26 school year, New York public and charter schools will be implementing plans for “bell-to-bell” smartphone bans, which prohibit the “unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day.” If you’re a New York student and the plan’s various small exceptions don’t apply to you, your phone will be going in the bag (or the box, or the cubby, or the office).

Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images

New York is far from the first state to implement smartphone restrictions in schools, but it’s the largest to go so far, and its ban marks a tipping point: Whatever you think of the broad, bipartisan, passionate, but also sort of disorganized and confused campaign to ban smartphones from classrooms, it’s winning. More than half of American states have something on the books, while more than a dozen have policies that resemble outright bans, many of which will go into effect next year. France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Brazil all have national bans of some sort, and countless other countries are close behind.

Continue reading:

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/smartphones-are-finally-getting-expelled-from-class.html

Phonegate: Schlatter motion rejected in Switzerland

Phonegate: Schlatter motion rejected in Switzerland
By : Phonegate Team • 10 May 2025

On May 7, 2025, the Swiss National Council rejected the motion by the Deputy Marionna Schlatter calling for genuine market surveillance to monitor compliance with legal radiation limits for cell phones and protect users’ health. This decision comes at a time when the Deputy has publicly denounced the Phonegate scandal, specifically citing our NGO’s revelations on the total lack of control of actual smartphone emissions in Switzerland.

Details of the vote in the National Council

In the National Council vote on Marionna Schlatter’s motion, 62 Deputies voted in favor of the text, while 130 voted against and 8 were absent or did not vote. This decision, which is difficult to justify in view of the lack of existing controls, seems above all to protect industrial interests to the detriment of public health.

23.4244 Speech by Marionna Schlatter, National Councillor, Swiss Parliament: Cell phone radiation exceeds the permitted values. Check compliance with the NIR limit values ​​in Switzerland as well.

THIS BLOG POST HAS BEEN REVISED ON 8 MAY 2025.

23.4244  Speech by Marionna Schlatter, National Councillor, Swiss Parliament 

7 May 2025 - DeepL translation **

Cell phone radiation exceeds the permitted values. Finally, check compliance with the NIR limit values ​​in Switzerland as well.

Schlatter Marionna (G, ZH): This motion calls for what has long been taken for granted in many European countries: independent market surveillance to ensure compliance with the NIR limits for cell phones. Switzerland must no longer remain exempt in this area. 

My motion demands nothing other than that the protection of the population is finally implemented consistently in the area of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) emitted by cell phones. Because reality shows:
Cell phones emit more radiation than permitted. The Phonegate scandal in France has made it clear that the SAR measurement of cell phones was systematically manipulated. Even a global corporation like Apple had to withdraw its iPhone 12 from the market. It is naive to believe that such problems do not also affect devices that are sold in Switzerland.

Without monitoring, however, only the principle of hope remains, and that is not enough in terms of health protection by any stretch of the imagination.

The Science on Cell Phones and Cancer with Dr. Ron Melnick

Listen to this excellent podcast!

The Science on Cell Phones and Cancer with Dr. Ron Melnick

kpfa.org/, 5 May 2025

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug discuss the Trump administration’s effort to intimidate non-profit organizations working on environmental issues, and the new World Health Organization report confirming the links between cell phone radiation and cancer. Then Dr. Ronald Melnick, who designed and oversaw the landmark National Institute of Health study on cell phone radiation, talks about how the study was designed and why so many people have never heard about it. More information and links on the show page at www.GreenStreetNews.org.

https://kpfa.org/episode/green-street-with-patti-doug-wood-may-5-2025-3/

Swiss doctors warn against cell phone radiation - these are their demands

Swiss doctors warn against cell phone radiation - these are their demands

bluewin.ch, 5 May 2025

(Photo): Cell phone networks are becoming increasingly important in the digital age. However, doctors warn against radiation.
Daniel Karmann/dpa

A medical organization is calling for better protection against cell phone radiation. The reason for this is a new study that does not give the all-clear in terms of health risks.

No time? blue News summarizes for you

• Doctors for environmental protection warn of health risks from cell phone radiation.
• A new study by the University of Bern shows a link between mobile phone radiation and a higher cancer rate in animals, particularly in the brain and heart.
• The organization advises people to rely on wired internet, especially indoors, and criticizes the lack of controls in Switzerland.

The Doctors for Environmental Protection (AefU) are calling for more caution when dealing with mobile phone radiation. "From a medical point of view, there is a need for action," the organization declared on Monday. The reason for this is a new systematic review published in the journal Environment International at the end of April.

The study, which was conducted at the University of Bern and partly co-financed by the World Health Organization, evaluated 52 animal experiments. The research team found a clear correlation: animals that were exposed to mobile phone radiation were more likely to develop cancer. Tumors were found particularly often in the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, adrenal glands, brain and heart.

Dangerous smartphones: ANFR called upon to inform Europe

Dangerous smartphones: ANFR called upon to inform Europe
By : Phonegate Team • 6 May 2025

Through its lawyer, attorney Lisa Arazi, the Phonegate Alert association has officially lodged a complaint with the general directorate of the French National Frequency Agency (ANFR), denouncing its serious failure to declare non-compliant cell phones and connected objects in the European ICSMS database, which is essential for protecting consumer health throughout the European Union.

A clear European obligation, reiterated by the European Commission

The European Commission recently recalled that the responsibility for informing about non-compliant phones and withdrawing them from the EU market lies with the Member States and their supervisory authorities, such as ANFR.

Any measures taken by Member States concerning non-compliant products must be published in the ICSMS and, if the non-compliance presents a serious risk, in Safety Gate/RAPEX, which also enables consumers to be aware of the risks”, reminded European Commissioner Thierry Breton (2023).
Serious breaches of its European obligations by ANFR that expose consumers in the European Union

Since 2018, thanks to information obtained following our actions vis-à-vis ANFR, Phonegate Alert has identified 58 cell phone models and two connected objects with significant SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) exceedances, revealing major regulatory non-compliances following controls carried out by ANFR.

Consult the complete list on our website.

Switzerland: 1st May 2025 Update by the Federal Office of Public Health of its Fact Sheets for various appliances and devices producing non-ionizing radiation

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health updated its Fact Sheets for various appliances and devices producing non-ionizing radiation on 1st May 2025, including mobile phones, fitness-trackers and smartwatches, cordless (DECT) phones, baby monitors, etc.. Very detailed. Have a read:

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/gesund-leben/umwelt-und-gesundheit/strahlung-radioaktivitaet-schall/elektromagnetische-felder-emf-uv-laser-licht/emf.html

We cite here only a few details: 

Mobile phones and smartphones 

3 Health effects - pp.3-5

3.1 Cancer

3.1.2 High-frequency electromagnetic fields

"In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified high-frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic (group 2B) based on studies suggesting a potential link between using mobile or cordless phones and brain tumours."

4 Legal regulations p.6

"Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their appliances comply with the conformity criteria. In Switzerland, no authority checks whether mobile phones meet these standards (23.4244 | Mobile phones emit more radiation than permitted. The time has come to check the NIR limits in Switzerland too! | Item of business | The Swiss Parliament – available in German, French and Italian)."

https://www.parlament.ch/fr/ratsbetrieb/suche-curia-vista/geschaeft?AffairId=20234244

France: The health of cell phone users cast aside

The health of cell phone users cast aside
By : Phonegate Team • 2 May 2025

Despite repeated warnings from ANSES, SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) measurement standards remain inadequate, endangering the health of millions of French and European cell phone users. The response on April 29, 2025 from Yannick Neuder, Minister for Health and Access to Care, to a question from MP Mathieu Lefèvre (Renaissance, Val-de-Marne) confirms the authorities’ inaction in the face of Phonegate.

Unsuitable and dangerous European standards

Following the alarming ANSES report of 2019, known as the “Phonegate” report, which can be consulted here, and France’s formal objection to the European Commission in 2020, one conclusion is clear: no cell phone marketed in Europe really protects its users. Tests are always carried out 5 mm from the body, as the Minister acknowledged in his official reply:

“ANFR is involved in the European process of revising standards for measuring the SAR of radioelectric equipment. The process of revising the trunk SAR standard is still underway. In 2025, the trunk SAR will thus be measured at a maximum distance of 5 millimeters from the body.”

Yannick Neuder, Minister for Health and Access to Care

However, this 5 mm distance pushes up the SAR well beyond regulatory levels when the phone is used against the body, as is the case in everyday life. ANFR tests and our “real” SAR calculator have shown that some models can exceed 7 W/kg on contact, more than three times the authorized European limit of 2 W/kg.

A carefully ignored health hazard

Cellphone Radiation Causes Abnormal Blood Clumping in Just 5 Minutes, Study Finds

Cellphone Radiation Causes Abnormal Blood Clumping in Just 5 Minutes, Study Finds
by Suzanne Burdick, Ph.D., childrenshealthdefense.org, April 29, 2025

Ultrasound imaging revealed that cellphone exposure caused a healthy woman’s blood cells to abnormally clump up, even when the cellphone was an inch away from her skin, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development.

A healthy woman’s blood cells formed abnormal clumps after just five minutes of having an idle cellphone placed on her leg. The same thing happened when researchers held the cellphone an inch away from the woman’s body, according to a peer-reviewed study published April 23 in Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development.

Using ultrasound, the researchers showed that the woman’s blood cells developed a rouleaux formation, an abnormal red blood cell pattern in which the cells stack together in long rows like piles of coins, according to MyHematology.com.

‘High Certainty’ Cellphone Radiation Linked to Cancer in Animals, WHO Study Finds

‘High Certainty’ Cellphone Radiation Linked to Cancer in Animals, WHO Study Finds

Experts say it’s time for the World Health Organization to classify wireless radiation as a “known human carcinogen,” after a review commissioned by the organization concluded there is “high certainty” evidence that cellphone radiation exposure causes two types of cancer in animals.

by Suzanne Burdick, Ph.D., childrenshealthdefense.org, April 28, 2025

A systematic review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded there is “high certainty” evidence that cellphone radiation exposure causes two types of cancer in animals.

The WHO-backed review, published online April 25 in Environmental International, determined radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by cellphones and other wireless devices were linked to an increased risk of malignant gliomas in the brain and malignant schwannomas, or nerve tumors, in the heart in studies on animals. The review noted that both tumor types had previously been found in studies on humans.

The WHO’s review also concluded there is “moderate certainty” evidence that cellphone radiation exposure causes an increased risk of rare liver and adrenal gland tumors.

Continue reading:
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/high-certainty-cellphone-radiation-cancer-animals-who-study/