Phonegate in the Netherlands. Soon to be meetings with Agentschap Telecom because of unsound advertisement.
April 2018 Press Release posted with permission.
An advertisement by the Dutch telecom provider KPN shows that two toddlers are holding a mobile phone against their body. In the safety warnings, however, it is stated that you have to keep the phone at some distance from the body in order to use it safely. Furthermore, according to research carried out by ANFR, the French Radiocommunications Agency, the SAR values (the limit values that a telephone must meet) are far exceeded in 9 out of 10 phones when used on the body.
Legal battle for responsible mobile use
This advertisement and one in which a teenager keeps a telephone in his pocket was the beginning of a long legal battle that Martine Vriens, a legal consultant from the Netherlands, has been waging to the present day. In 2015 and 2016, she submitted complaints to the Advertising Code Foundation, which ensures that advertisements are sound. However, the Foundation has not recognized in its legal decisions that the advertisements were unsound and has even made erroneous claims that it has not been established that damage to health may occur above the limit values.
Letter to Agentschap Telecom
Because this is incorrect and children are at risk of health damage, Vriens – also on behalf of ten organizations* – wrote a letter to Agentschap Telecom (the Dutch Radiocommunications Agency), which monitors compliance with the limits of mobile phones and for this reason has once taken a phone off the market. Agentschap Telecom has announced in writing and by telephone that the department supervising the enforcement of the limits will look into it in detail. After this, meetings will take place between Agentschap Telecom and a delegation of the organizations, and later on possibly with KPN and the Advertising Code Foundation.
Phonegate***
Agentschap Telecom also indicated that it was interested in developments in France. There, Dr. Marc Arazi, chairman of the association ‘Phonegate alert’, argues that millions of phones should be taken off the market because they exceed the SAR limits when used on the body. This is the case for 9 out of 10 telephones. This is called the Phonegate scandal. He also wants more information and transparency on the safe use of mobile phones. Marc Arazi, doctor, and whistleblower talks about an alarming situation.
Withdrawal Hapi 30
Last week, thanks to his tireless efforts, the mobile telephone operator Orange announced to recall 90,000 Hapi 30 mobile telephones. A first and a big step forward. Especially since ANFR has indicated in an interview that such recalls can be repeated because it has recorded some other phones that exceed limits. Agentschap Telecom said it would inform the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) about these developments.
Prohibition of advertisement of KPN
In the light of these developments, Vriens advocates a ban on advertisements showing a use of mobile phones that is reason enough to recall them in France. Advertisements of mobile phones addressed to children are already prohibited in France and Belgium. How responsible is it that KPN shows children in dangerous situations and presents this as a normal use! And the Advertising Code Foundation, which consciously turns a blind eye, it seems. Parents and children need to be properly informed about safe use. Marc Arazi of Phonegate Alert, therefore, intends to launch a series of information and protection measures in France and Europe as soon as possible.
Children particularly vulnerable
The importance of this issue, especially for children and young people, is confirmed by Dr. Annie J Sasco, MD, DrPH, former Chief of Unit of Epidemiology for Cancer Prevention at the International Agency for Research on Cancer – World Health Organization: « In May 2011, the IARC classified the EMF exposure as a possible carcinogen. Since then new studies were published, both epidemiological and experimental ones, reinforcing the evidence of carcinogenicity and several other detrimental health effects were described. With the new data on SAR measured in contact with the body, it becomes more than ever necessary to strengthen the safety recommendations to preserve the health of everyone in particular of fetuses, babies, and children. The California guidelines move exactly in the right direction. »
Vriens and the organizations are looking forward to the meetings with Agentschap Telecom. They will call for a ban on the advertisement and, more generally, for better information on how to use the telephone safely. And further to follow the example of their colleague ANFR and to enforce compliance with the regulations by the manufacturers, which should lead – also in the Netherlands – to recall campaigns.
Contact Martine Vriens +31497338030 martinevriens@hotmail.com
*Stopumts, EHS Foundation, SOS Stop-Overdosis-Straling, Zeeland Platform Radiation Risk, Reduction Electrosmog, National Platform Radiation Risk, Association of Meteorologists Electromagnetic Radiation (VEMES), Zendmast Anders, Electromagnetic Radiation Knowledge Platform, Radiation Awareness, em.prof. Michiel Haas MSc/PhD (founder NIBE), Mr. Leon Kraijenbrink.
**The origin of the term Phonegate comes from Pierre Le Hir (Le Monde, 23 December 2016) “Soupçons sur les ondes des téléphones portables”.
Visit our page about Phonegate to learn more.
