Do smartphones still need to be kept far away from pacemakers?

The authors of a recent study say the risk that a modern smartphone could interfere with the functioning of a pacemaker implant or defibrillator is tiny. — dpa

People with pacemakers have long been warned that smartphones can disrupt the workings of this vital device. One study has now shown that, most of the time, you don’t need to worry.

If you have a pacemaker, you’ll likely have been told to make sure you keep a space of 15 centimetres between your implant and a smartphone.