Post 24: Apple's new patent on disabling phone based on location

Apple has filed a patent that would allow to block some features on the Iphone depending on its location. The new feature seems to be very useful and can have many applications, but at the same time it also raises a question on who is the actual owner of the phone.

The patent "Apparatus and methods for enforcement of policies upon a wireless device"was filed last Thursday and has features similar with the patent filed in 2011, as pointed out by the Apple Insider. The original patent describes the concept that would use the sensor to detect whether it is allowed to take pictures or make phone calls on a mobile device. The new patent uses GPS or WiFi or data to determine the location and "change one or more functional or operational aspects" of the device".

The practical application of the new feature is obvious: the volume will be turned down in the movie theaters, outgoing calls can be prevented in the classrooms, the device can be turned off when the plane is taking off or landing.

However, implementing this function can cause an ethical dilemma because it can abused by the authorities, like during the protests in San Francisco last year, when cellular services where shut down for the sake of "safety of Bart passengers".

 The patent doesn't describe whether the feature will be implemented on Iphone or any other devices, which broadens the market for licensing the feature to Apple, if there is a demand for it. Currently, mobile devices have a feature like that, but with a new patent it is regulated not by the user but by the agency that sets policies at the current location.


Apple has filed multiple patents on many features to have control over the technology, without any intentions to develop it. By doing so, Apple is looking to increase its revenue streams by licensing.

Read more at NBSNEWS