Enhanced user privacy for mobile station location services

A method of providing privacy control in a mobile station of the mobile station geographical location information, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine comprising software instructions, wherein the Privacy Engine software instructions also include Privacy Policy instructions, and wherein the mobile station further includes a Position Determination Module (PDM) capable of providing geographical location estimates of the mobile station;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• a) receiving location requests for a current geographical location of the mobile station;
• b) processing the location requests in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions;
• c) obtaining geographical location estimates of the mobile station;
• d) processing the location estimates in accordance with the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, and the Privacy Rules;
• and
• e) providing response messages responsive to the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, the location estimates and the Privacy Rules.

An apparatus providing privacy control in a mobile station of the mobile station geographical location information, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine comprising software instructions, wherein the Privacy Engine software instructions also include Privacy Policy instructions, and wherein the mobile station further includes a Position Determination Module (PDM) capable of providing geographical location estimates of the mobile station, comprising:

• a) means for receiving location requests for a current geographical location of the mobile station;
• b) means for processing the location requests in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions;
• c) means for obtaining geographical location estimates of the mobile station;
• d) means for processing the location estimates in accordance with the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, and the Privacy Rules;
• and
• e) means for providing response messages responsive to the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, the location estimates and the Privacy Rules.