Tech
The Apple products that pose a risk to pacemakers
Apple has listed products it says should be kept a “safe distance” away from medical devices like pacemakers
The tech giant revealed the scary news with the list of dangerous tech including all iPhone 12 models, Apple Watch and MacBook Pro.
Apple stated that many consumer-electronic devices contain components, such as magnets, can interfere with medical devices.
The news comes as Apple’s “health” feature gains popularity around the world.
Some Apple Watches can take an electrocardiogram test that records the timing and strength of the electrical signals that make the heartbeat.
The current notice warns of risks from components in some products.
“Under certain conditions, magnets and electromagnetic fields might interfere with medical devices,”
Apple wrote.
Apple stated “implanted pacemakers and defibrillators might contain sensors that respond to magnets and radios when in close contact”.
Implanted defibrillators send electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms.
The firm said the listed products should be kept more than 15cm (6in) away from medical devices, double that if they are wirelessly charging.
A number of other manufacturers, for example, Samsung and Huawei, have issued similar guidance for some of their products.
Strong magnets
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that “Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max MagSafe technology can cause magnet interference”, and consequently had the potential “to inhibit life-saving therapy”.
MagSafe enables fast wireless charging.