To: The European Commission,

We, urgently call upon the European Commission to take decisive action against big smartphone companies including Samsung, Apple and Google for their use of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology in AMOLED smartphone screens, which is causing significant health issues for a growing number of users. This harmful technology, especially at flicker rates like 120Hz, 240Hz, and 480Hz, has been linked to serious symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Eye strain and discomfort
• Blurry Vision
• Dizziness
• Eye Fatigue
• Nausea
• Migraine

Despite being aware of these health concerns, they continue to release devices using PWM without offering adequate solutions to mitigate the harmful effects.

The Problem:

PWM controls screen brightness by flickering the display at frequencies too fast to be seen, but sensitive users can still experience discomfort and health issues. Hundreds of people across the globe report experiencing these symptoms while using high-end and expensive smartphones from these companies, with no effective solutions being offered by them.

The Solution:

We demand the European Commission force Samsung, Apple and Google to immediately fix this problem by:

Banning the sale of smartphones that use low PWM rates for brightness control unless they offer users a viable, flicker-free alternative such as DC Dimming or equivalent software-based solutions.

DC Dimming is a proven method for reducing flicker by adjusting voltage levels instead of using PWM, and it should be available on all devices.
Mandating that these companies roll out software updates to existing devices to provide users the option to enable DC Dimming or other flicker-free solutions.

Holding manufacturers accountable for the health effects their devices cause by enforcing regulations to ensure that future smartphones sold in Europe adhere to strict guidelines prioritizing user health.

This includes ensuring that no display technology causes harmful flicker at any brightness level and providing users with more control over display settings to avoid health risks.

Force Them to Fix It:

We are not asking for temporary solutions or vague promises. We demand that the European Commission start with Samsung, Apple and Google and force them to act now by providing real solutions to this problem through mandatory software updates and regulations on future devices. No consumer should suffer from preventable health issues caused by poorly regulated screen technology.

Here is a flicker test for Samsung Galaxy A55:

This device, a popular and affordable mid-range option purchased by thousands of users worldwide, operates with a 240Hz PWM frequency and an alarming 99.50% modulation depth. This can lead to serious symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, and discomfort, particularly for sensitive users. Unfortunately, this issue isn't limited to mid-range devices. High-end smartphones, including Samsung's S series, Google Pixels, and Apple's iPhones, also employ similar PWM technology without sufficient user protection, leaving consumers with limited alternatives for screen comfort.

Sign this petition if you believe that technology should not come at the expense of our health. Together, we can ensure that big companies like Samsung, Apple and Google are held responsible and forced to fix this issue.