Apparatus and method for activation and deactivation of devices to prevent unauthorized acquisition and use

Abstract

System and method for activation and deactivation of devices to prevent unauthorized acquisition and use. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an internet of things (IoT) service to receive a first message from a point of sale (POS) system, the first message including a device identifier (ID) to uniquely identify a device purchased by a user via the POS system; device management logic of the IoT service to identify an entry in a device database using the device ID, the entry including a field to indicate whether the corresponding device has been purchased; the device management logic to update the field responsive to the first message to indicate that the device has been purchased; and the IoT service to transmit a second message to the POS system or to a mobile device of the user in response to a request from the POS system or the mobile device, respectively, the second message authorizing unlocking of the device if the field indicates that the device has been purchased, wherein a short-range wireless connection is established between the mobile device or the POS system and the device the short-range wireless connection to be used to transmit an unlock command from the mobile device or the POS system, wherein a lock module of the device is to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state responsive to receipt of the unlock command.