Disclosing and controlling collection of information from electronic devices

A method by an electronic device for controlling collection of information from the electronic device by a network operations center node connected through a radio access network, the electronic device comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform the method comprising:

• receiving, by the processor via a network interface circuit, an inquiry message broadcasted by the radio access network to a plurality of electronic devices, the inquiry message requesting information from the electronic devices for sending to a sensor comprising a video camera and/or an audio microphone configured to communicate video data and/or audio data respectively to the network operations center node;
• sending, by the processor via the network interface circuit, an authentication message to the network operations center node that requests an information collection disclosure response;
• receiving, by the processor via the network interface circuit, the information collection disclosure response from the network operations center node that identifies an entity that is requesting collection of the information from the electronic device and/or how information collected from the electronic device will be used;
• determining, by the processor, whether a response to the inquiry message is authorized based on the information collection disclosure response;
• when a response is determined to be authorized, sending, by the processor, information collected by the electronic device that corresponds to the information requested by the inquiry message for use by the network operations center node in controlling the sensor and to logically associate the information collected by the electronic device with data sensed by the sensor;
• and
• sending, by the processor via the network interface circuit to the network operations center node, information that the network operations center node is authorized to disclose to the sensor without seeking authorization from the electronic device.

A method by a sensor for collecting information from electronic devices, the sensor comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform the method comprising:

• registering the sensor with a network operations center node;
• sending, by the processor via a network interface circuit, information collection disclosure data to the network operations center node identifying an entity that is requesting collection of information from electronic devices and/or how information collected from the electronic devices will be used;
• sending, by the processor via the network interface circuit, a request message to the network operations center node, the request message requesting collection of information from electronic devices;
• receiving, by the processor via the network interface circuit, information from the network operations center node that is previously collected from electronic devices that the network operations center node is authorized to disclose to the sensor without seeking authorization from the electronic devices;
• and
• operating the sensor responsive to the information collected from the electronic devices based on logically associating the information collected from the electronic devices with data sensed by the sensor relating to the electronic devices and/or users of the electronic devices,
• wherein the sensor comprises a video camera and/or an audio microphone configured to communicate video data and/or audio data respectively to the network operations center node.