Location information protection

A terminal device for use in a communications network, the terminal device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the terminal device is operative to:
• obtain location information relating to a location of the terminal device, wherein the location information comprises first location information and second location information, wherein the first location information relates to a location of the terminal device within a region, and wherein the second location information identifies the region in which the terminal device is located;
• form content for a proximity service discovery message, wherein the content for the discovery message includes the first location information;
• calculate a message integrity code based on the content for the discovery message and the second location information;
• and
• transmit the proximity service discovery message, comprising the content for the discovery message and the computed message integrity code.

A method of operation of a terminal device, the method comprising:

• receiving a proximity service discovery message containing location information of a sending device, wherein the location information of the sending device relates to a location of the sending terminal device within a sending device region;
• obtaining location information relating to a location of the terminal device, wherein the location information comprises first location information and second location information, wherein the first location information relates to a location of the terminal device within a region, and wherein the second location information identifies the region in which the terminal device is located;
• determining the sending device region from the obtained location information and the location information of the sending device;
• calculating a message integrity code based on content of the discovery message and information identifying the sending device region;
• and
• acting on the proximity service discovery message only if the calculated message integrity code matches a message integrity code in the discovery message.

A terminal device for use in a communications network, the terminal device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the terminal device is operative to:
• receive a proximity service discovery message containing location information of a sending device, wherein the location information of the sending device relates to a location of the sending terminal device within a sending device region;
• obtain location information relating to a location of the terminal device, wherein the location information comprises first location information and second location information, wherein the first location information relates to a location of the terminal device within a region, and wherein the second location information identifies the region in which the terminal device is located;
• determine the sending device region from the obtained location information and the location information of the sending device;
• calculate a message integrity code based on content of the discovery message and information identifying the sending device region;
• and
• act on the proximity service discovery message only if the calculated message integrity code matches a message integrity code in the discovery message.

A network node for use in a communications network, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is operative to:
• receive a request for proximity service resources from a terminal device such as a UE;
• and
• send a response to the terminal device granting the requested proximity service resources, with a requirement that the terminal device includes in its proximity service discovery messages first location information and a message integrity code, wherein the first location information relates to a location of the terminal device within a region, wherein the message integrity code is calculated using second location information, and wherein the second location information identifies the region in which the terminal device is located.